God, Life, Current Events

The Middle East/North Africa. What is going on? People are demanding justice, that's what's going on. People are demanding to be treated decently as human beings, and they are demanding freedom. And, personally, I'm ecstatic that they're being strong enough to do this. I honestly cannot understand how difficult it would be to live under the rule of a dictator, but I can only imagine how terrifying it would be to demand rights that a dictator is withholding. I'm proud of these citizens that are trying to do it peacefully.

But what is even more remarkable to me is the way that countries are being empowered by each other and setting the example for each other that this is possible. It reminds me a lot of the Christian faith in many senses. We all begin in bondage...slaves to sin...under the oppression of death. But Jesus Christ has set us free...we just have to allow ourselves to accept this freedom that he offers. Repent of sins and have faith. Once we allow God to break the bondage to sin in our lives, my prayer is that others will have the courage to do so as well. In the States, this might not seem "courageous". But what about in countries that are under religious oppressors? Where being a believer isn't safe? Where you may be shunned by your family and society? It takes a lot of courage to be a believer! But my prayer is that people will see other believers and their ability to stand up to sin and allow God to take over their lives, and that they would have the strength to experience this freedom and life as well. That's my prayer.

I see the courage of those who stand up to a dictator on earth. What about standing up to the thing that's enslaving you for eternity? Be courageous! Allow God to reign... not your sin!

All that being said, I have been experiencing God in a whole new way lately. Lately He's been giving me so many analogies and examples of His love, grace, freedom, mercy, and the joy that I have in Him. Ah, the joy it is to love Jesus and have freedom through his cross. We were reading 2 Timothy 2:8-13 last night at small group, and I was encouraged, again, by the Apostle Paul. His life is such beautiful evidence of a life completely transformed by the Gospel and lived out to the fullest extent. Paul, a former killer of Christians, was transformed by Jesus to the point of being in chains in prison...and still enduring for the sake of people's obtaining of salvation! Beautiful. Would all of our lives be lived out to the extent that Paul's was... for the sake of Jesus Christ. The one and only Savior.