I SAY NO!

 



I had a kind of realisation the other day.  I was thinking about the hopelessness, sadness, depression, mental ill health that are a widespread  response to the climate changes, post-covid syndrome, wars and world instability etc etc. So many young people now say that they don't want to bring a child into this world.  Whereas my generation felt that they had a beautiful world to discover in the life ahead of them, this kind of optimism is getting rarer.   Understandably.

Then I saw this as a picture.  It was like dark, grey veil of despair being drawn over our minds by the enemy of our souls.  All we see and hear in the news is negative. Our world-view could become that of disheartened people who are giving up. Not only does the devil win by inciting many of the evils in our day , he continues his destructive work by making us feel hopeless. "What's the point of trying to do all sorts of brave endeavours when the world is going to s**t? "

And I wanted to stand up and shout NOOOO!!!  In fact, I did. Not necessarily no to all the evil in the world - that's too big for me.  But No to the creeping veil of demotivating depression about the world that has been influencing me too.

Because the earth is the Lord's, and vast areas of this beautiful planet still shout out the wonder of God in the multitudinous, utterly stunning, life affirming glory of creation.

Because every day millions of beautiful humans are loving their children, caring for families, working the land, living their lives with purpose. Every single day there are probably a billion acts of kindness being done, whether in cities or in jungles.

Don't worry, I know that the human race needs the redeeming love of Christ to find true meaning, to really come Home.  I believe in judgement and look forward to the day when all things will be put absolutely right. But there is also common grace and the fact that we are made in the image of God to celebrate.

I also know that I am far freer to make this post because I'm not living in a war zone or poverty stricken or living in fear of drone attacks and believe me, I feel survivors guilt quite keenly for having lived the life that I have.

But for now, where I stand, I say NO! To the creeping darkness and the encroaching mental murk that would steal the joy from our lives. I won't accept its narrative. For I am under the Lordship of Christ and His kingdom is one of beauty and truth, goodness and love.

I have a mandate from Him, which I repeat almost every day - 'Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven'.  And by keeping my eyes and thoughts on 'what is true, what is honourable and right and pure, and lovely and admirable..excellent and worthy of praise' (Philippians 4 v 8) - I hope that I can spread the beauty of Gods rule on earth in some small way,in my small corner!

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