The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. ~  Isaiah 43:19

I am conflicted today because of tension between upbeat and troubled feelings. I’m happy because we, the Shiloh family, have reached a place in our journey where we can see a bright, new season of preparing and planting for the LORD’s harvest. My hopes stem from faith in Christ to revive the hearts of His people and open the eyes of those who don’t yet know Him. My fears stem from many years of experience with church folk and keen interest in society and geopolitics. The famous introductory words of Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Tale of Two Cities” seem to apply to our times. 

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

Pandemic, politics, economy, church attender losses, war in Europe, liberals, progressives, conservatives, traditionalists, disaffiliation and its fallout, hurricanes, supply chain issues, poverty, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran…and “winter is coming.” Seems like the “worst of times”, doesn’t it? Another literary source, “Game of Thrones” by George R. R. Martin, fancifully, but accurately presents a world like ours wherein worldly ambitions, fleshly indulgence, and fearful supernatural forces crowd together in subtle and overt battles for supremacy, all while the inevitable long, dark winter draws nearer.      

When is upheaval and chaos ever “the best of times”!? Well, for example, after the hurricane, rescuers will seek those who suffer; the government will do some things we’re glad to help pay for; communities will unite for a common good, if only briefly. It turns out that the worst of times often brings out the best in people. It turns out that troubled seasons make it easier to see who the givers and takers are. When circumstances threaten their interests, the takers abandon others and retreat. Givers adapt and strive to relieve suffering and end chaos. It’s as basic as it gets; one can either be egocentric or others-oriented. Ironically, one can do good works for others and still be egocentric. The Bible calls us to be God-oriented, which leads to other-orientation for His sake. So, when the worst of times come, it’s more important than ever to be God-oriented, rooted in God’s Word, and united with like-minded Christian Believers. 

Should it surprise us when hard times highlight selfishness, childish posturing, and general wickedness in some? What if such seasons turn out to be defining moments that show us what matters most? All of Jesus’ apostles, even Judas, experienced it. Therefore, they lost friends and family, worldly security, and eventually their lives because of what mattered the most to them. Why shouldn’t we, Jesus’ disciples, expect the same? Fear, suppressed by faith; self-interests abandoned to Christ’s motives, and an eternal perspective changes our priorities and frees us to join the LORD in whatever He is doing, whatever the circumstances.

I’ve heard that many Shiloh folks want all the talk of disaffiliation to stop so we can get back to “church” again. I understand the sentiment because I too, am weary from the struggles. However, I fear that getting back to “church” means something I’d rather not go back to. If it’s about personal interests, tastes, and comforts, we should not go back to it. If it is a call to stop talking about denominational politics, I’m right there with you. Let’s get busy being the best of Christ’s people whatever the times seem like. Let’s never again come to worship so we can get what we want or receive services we feel entitled to. Worship is, after all, about the LORD and serving all that He is entitled to. When we are not adoring, praising, and submitting to Christ, let us be sources of grace and mercy to those for whom He suffered. Let us dedicate our whole lives worshiping and serving Christ, our King; doing all the good we can by all the means at our disposal so that people who don’t know Him might meet Christ through us.