Don't Give Up Faith

As the tragedy in Boston unfolded yesterday afternoon, my Twitter feed just blew up with people offering prayers and support to the injured and the dead.  The outpouring was heart-warming in the midst of such horror.  But there was another response as well.  People seemed to be giving up.  The world is too dark a place. How could God allow such misery and evil?  Faith seemed to be taking a beating.

As I read this hopelessness being given voice by so many, I was reminded of some things.  The first is that too many Christians have grabbed hold of some really rotten theology.  We have become convinced that if we believe in Jesus and try to live a good life, our lives will somehow be spared the kind of turmoil we all experienced yesterday.  This is simply not true.  Jesus himself told us is John 16:33 that "In this world you will have trouble." It is a promise that needs no explaining.  We know this to be true.  But Jesus went on to say, "But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  For Christ-followers it is never about "doing OK under the circumstances."  It is about OVERCOMING the circumstances because of our faith in God.  Remember the promise from the scripture at the top- darkness CANNOT overcome the Light. It may temporarily stun us, as it did yesterday.  But in the end, God wins.

Secondly, I immediately found myself singing the great Third Day song, Don't Give Up Hope.  I wrote a bible study based on that song a couple of years ago, so I know it inside and out.  Take a look at the first verse and the chorus.  You will understand why it came to my mind...

This world just keeps on getting crazier and crazier everyday
You're so afraid 
Sometimes it feels like it's chasing your sanity away
And you start to break
Let me help you find your way

Don't give up faith
Don't give up hope
There's always something better
Waiting around the corner
Don't give up now
Please, don't let go
What can feel like the ending
Could just be the beginning
Don't give up hope

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  No act of terror or evil can separate us from his love and grace. While days like yesterday will always test our faith, they should never defeat, because we are promised that God will never forsake us.  So today, as we mourn with and pray for those in Boston, let us be careful not to give in and lose hope.  God is still in control.  Don't give up faith! And if you need a little kick in the butt today, play the video. You will be inspired. Have a blessed day!

Because of Jesus,