(Psalm 4:6)
Okay, this is a post that has been on my mind throughout this year,
and I've put it off and put it off. Everyday, I tell myself, "I
need to do a blog post. I'm going to do it tonight!" But as you
can see, I kept putting things off and putting things off. Okay,
this post is not meant to condemn anyone, but it has been
nagging at me so much and I just feel that I have to share it!
If you don't like it, you don't have to read it!!
First point: did you read the verse at the beginning? Does it
sound familiar? How many of you readers have felt
exactly like that because of all the bad things out
there in the world? How many times does that sentence
flow through your heads?
I have two Main Points that I'm trying to emphasize on
with this post. Number 1: you can find hypocrites in ANY
walk of life!!! Christian, non-Christian, doctors, police officers,
lawyers, politicians, teachers, dog trainers, it doesn't matter.
They're in the world, and you can find them any occupation!
BUT that doesn't mean that everyone in that walk is one!
If you've been deceived, lied to, or hurt by someone you trusted
-especially someone who claimed to uphold high standards and you
expected them to practice what they preach-, I'm so sorry that
happened. That's terrible and it certainly stinks.
And when you've been let down, it is very difficult to trust again
and give someone in that line of work another chance, especially
if it's happened more than once! I know hypocrites exist (including
in the Church body, which is shameful), and there is absolutely
nothing wrong with holding people up to high standards, especially
those in authority, or who have incredible responsibilities and are
supposed to uphold them!
But like I said, that doesn't mean that every person in that line
of work is not what they say they are. Not every Christian
is a Pharisee, not every doctor is a money grabber-some
out there do care and truly just want to help you-, not
every lawyer is out there just for the money, AND not every
police officer is a bad cop either, not every politician is a liar
and a crook. Point Two: just because
there is darkness in the world, and you've been bitten by it,
DON'T let that cloud your view of everything and everyone
out there by labeling them as no good!! If you keep telling
yourself, "There's no one and nothing good or full of light
out there," -I know it's a protection thing, keeping yourself
in a shell to avoid disappointment again-you'll only feel
more and more miserable and that life is just a drudge!
Yes, you'll keep yourself from getting hurt, but you won't
be able to enjoy anything either! Also, people who don't
want to enjoy anything, don't want others too either, and
they'll say what they can to get people to feel and think the
way they do.
I know that in this world, it seems impossible to find anything
decent, clean, or pleasant to think about, but that doesn't mean it is!
I say, keep looking the good: it's got to be out there somewhere!!!
This blog post is intended for non-Christians AND Christians!
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things."
(Philippians 4:8)
That's one reason Annah and I like the old Disney classics, and
the old family shows: they promote those things-well, most of them do.
That's why we like Sue Thomas FBEye so much! Now, there is
a show that is worth watching!
Hey, as long as God has a remnant in the world, there's got to
be some good in it! Keep looking and hoping. If you can't
see any, ask God to show you, to bring some across your path.
Sorry if I'm sounding preachy, but this message has been on my
heart for a long time and I've really been wanting to share it.
Who cares if Dory in Finding Nemo was an airhead? I think
she's a ray of sunshine in an unpleasant situation. And, she
gave some good advice: "When life gets you down, you know
what you gotta do? Just keep swimming, just keep swimming,
just keep swimming..." Swimming for fish, going for us!
But she's right! You may be bogged down, you may have to stop
and rest halfway, BUT you've got to keep going! Sometimes, it
feels impossible and you're at the end of your rope, but giving
up will only make you more miserable.
Let's use Mr. Potato Head from Toy Story as an example. Mr.
Negative, through and through, always pointing out the dark side
of things. He never was my favorite toy, though I actually like him
more now than I used to! How many times though in the midst
of a situation did he just throw his hands up in resignation and
say something like,"That's it. We ain't ever getting out of here!
We're done for." Yeah, I know it looks bad, but you've got to
find a way. Just think what would've happened to the toy gang
if everyone had been like him and just quit halfway, especially
when things got bad: they never would've gotten anywhere or
accomplished anything!!
"Jessie never gives up, Jessie finds a way!!" For those who are Toy
Story fans, you know where that line came from. But we can learn
from this. Giving up will keep you stuck where you are.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not onto your own
understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will
direct your paths."(Proverbs 3:5,6)
Yes. In Facing the Giants, Coach Taylor and his small team were
in the last minutes of the football game and were at their last play.
The Giants' defense was too strong for a run. They had to do something!
There had to be a way! The only answer was to kick it. And, the coach
was depending on a player who was limited to short range kicks, but it was
the only shot they had! David was full of doubt, but Coach Taylor told
him to rely on God's strength and just do it! David did, and the team won
the State Championship!! Yes, you've got to keep going, trust the Lord,
and find a way.
"There's a war within our land, a battle for the right, the lies of
the Enemy are crowding out the light..."
Yes, but why don't we try to do our best to be that light?
Sometimes, it's up to us to make the first move. Be the light,
shine the light. Don't consume your mind with all the bad news
out there.
"Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, 'But Lord, what about this man?'
Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain 'til I come, what is that to you?
You follow Me.'" (John 21:23) Paraphrase: Peter, you don't worry about
him, You make sure that you follow Me! Jesus didn't mean that Peter
shouldn't care about John, He meant that Peter was responsible for
himself and his own choices.
"...And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)
For what I was saying about goodness, here is one of my favorite quotes:
"Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. They're right here;
you just have to see them again!" -Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
"Do not fret because of evildoers,
nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like
grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell
in the land, and feed on His faithfulness."
Psalm 37:1-3
