I don’t watch the news, and I rarely listen to talk radio. I appreciate maintaining my blood pressure at a sane level. I also recognize that knowledge of the daily reports doesn’t necessarily further my peace or help me to better my life or the lives of my household, but rather feeds fear, mistrust, and my own arrogance and pride. After all, I’m not as bad as the people getting reported on. So I say.

But Jesus sees things differently. He sees my inner irks, my spirit of discontent, my annoyances at others…for starters. He knows everything, and nothing is hidden. Even if there were no God at all (is saying that blasphemous?), my conscience and my world would proclaim otherwise. My greater fear, I suppose, would be a darkened mind, a hardened heart, a weak conscience….all of which the media tends to cultivate.

But still the news of the day comes, whether by whisper or whirlwind and I am left either angry at the injustice or in great sorrow at the depths of depravity. And even though I know all have sinned and fallen short, I’m still stunned by it all: the gross crimes AND the responses of people to those things. And yet, why am I “stunned”? Didn’t Jesus tell me these things would happen? If I’m so surprised, so shocked…does that reveal my unbelief? My own pride? Or does it further expose the truth of it all–how low we really are, how desperate in need for God’s mercy and grace.

So what do we do with the heaviness? I don’t rightly know, other than obviously repent of our own sins. Turning off the media helps. Mostly, though, wisps of words ribbon through the spirit: study to be quiet….be ye holy…plant gardens…follow Me…

In other words, carry on. Nothing is a surprise, nothing is new, nothing is unseen. God is still just and God is still merciful. The brethren are still persecuted worldwide (in the most wicked and horrific manners), the devil still dances (in the most wicked and horrific manners), and Jesus is still at work (in love and in truth). And, because those things are true, I can still look to Jesus and be at my own work today. Ora et labora, pray and work. Both necessary, both in life and godliness.

I believe God is honored by our trust and I know He is glorified by our faith. So, despite the heaviness of the world and its ways, we can continue to cultivate holiness, even though we know only God is good. He expects His saints to continue in that work, and we are blessed to have opportunity to do so while we still draw breath this side of the veil. Ora et labora, friends. Pray and work. Press on.

Blessings,