What’s Important Now

In the midst of COVID-19-resurgence-civil-rights-demonsrations-China’s-oppression-of-Hong-Kong-and-all-the-forms-of-daily-craziness, I encourage you to remember who you fundamentally are, and if you’re a follower of Christ, who we are as believers.

In the midst of all this—or of anything in your life—what’s important in each day we live?

Since then I’ve done a memorial service (also on Zoom) that connected family and friends in two countries—God bless you, Sandy. Sickness and death do not put themselves on hold either.

We’ve sort of celebrated July 4^th, Independence Day of this unique nation of the USA, which has a history that is both horrific and great. However one sees it, I will always say that followers of Christ should be the best citizens of this nation or whatever nation they live in.

Life and death and the world go on, even under lockdown. In the midst of it, how do we best live? And if you are a follower of Christ, how is “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” real and meaningful here and now? Especially now?

Consider these points, which I’ll develop more in the future:

• Beware of being co-opted by political agendas, be they left or right.
• Love is defined by the first great commandment (love the Lord your God with all that is within you), not by secular agendas.
• Love toward other people is defined by the second greatest commandment (love your neighbor as yourself).
• We are called to a whole new social order based not on culture, laws, or even justice—but based on our identity in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
• In a world of outrage, we are people of grace.

How would you live things on this list? Do you have anything to add?

I will never advocate that followers of Christ be fearful on one hand or foolish on the other. But I will always encourage us to transcend.

How will you transcend?