Hell on Earth

I'm sitting here surrounded by contradiction.  In front of me I see our beautiful little Christmas tree, my little Christmas village above the entertainment center and a sappy love story on Lifetime.  My dog is upside down on the couch with his legs spread wide open.  He knows he's safe and loved.  My children are in their beds, tucked in neatly and covered with night night kisses.  They know they're safe and loved.  Even my husband, who is sometimes thousands of miles away from me, can rest easy when he sleeps after working grueling hours in order to provide for his family.  He knows he's loved and definitely appreciated.

However, when I flip the channel or scroll through Facebook,  I'm doused in hatred.  Abuse to animals runs rampant.  It's sickening.  Hundreds of horses laying dead in a field.  Puppies hanging from trees.  Thousands of animals being burned, beaten and even killed for no reason other than pure evil.  People are randomly stabbed while just walking down the street or simply using a public restroom in a mall.  Protests are rising up in city after city.  Some are peaceful while others.....well, not so much.  School and workplace shootings seem to be a monthly occurrence. Children are being slaughtered in front of their parents for being Christians.  Billboards from atheists referencing Christmas and fairy tales relating to church.  That was just THIS WEEK!!  The disgust I feel for the world we live in nearly overtakes my ability to hold on to some sort of hope.  Nearly, but not completely.  Every day I pray for this to be the day that the heavens open up and Jesus takes us home!

But....who is us?  For story's sake, let me put it this way.  Say there's a woman called "Ann".  Ann goes to church every Sunday morning.  She volunteers on various committees at church as well as committees at her children's school.  She donates money to charities.  She doesn't know how to say NO even though saying yes compromises things she already has planned.  Her radio is tuned to the local contemporary christian station.  Her Facebook is filled with scripture and encouraging posts.  She is a dedicated wife, mother, neighbor and friend.  But......is she a Christian?  Will she be one of the ones saved from this world if Jesus returns in her lifetime?

A recent Sunday school lesson invoked some serious thoughts about myself and people in general.  It was explored further in a conversation with Amanda.  "How do you know?"  By looking at and interacting with someone, how do you know they're a Christian?   By all accounts, "Ann" is what most people would call a "good" person and most would even assume she is a Christian.  Here's the thing.  She's not.  Will Jesus take her home if he busted through the clouds right now?  That's something that only she and God know the true answer to. 

The only way we will even get close to knowing is to invest in "Ann".  Where is she from? What does she like to do? What are her thoughts on God? Does she believe Jesus is the Son of God and died for our sins? Do we, as a society, take time to invest in people's lives not for the sole pleasure of gossip but because we actually CARE.  Do we ask the hard questions?   Due to my own insecurities, I can easily say that I don't ask the hard questions.  I don't invest in others like I should. 

The Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  EVERYONE should be given the opportunity to accept or reject Christ.  Everyone means everyone.  This world is a mess.  There's no doubt about that.  I don't know if it's getting worse or it just appears that way because of the access we have to more worldwide information.

I saw a comment the other day that stuck with me.  Although the quote is from Albert Camus, an atheist, I love what it says. "I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live as if there isn't and to die to find out that there is."  

Have I questioned His existence? Have I tried to understand the magnitude of everything He encompasses and then get aggravated when I can't understand it? Do I get annoyed with Christian jargon people throw around?  ABSOLUTELY!  But, my faith assures me that there is a God and I will continue to believe that without fail.  It is, you know, the greatest commandment.  Matthew 22: 37-39 says......³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'

So, by looking at me, how do you know I'm a Christian?  You don't.  You won't.  Not until you choose to invest in me and I in you.  Our world doesn't stand a chance unless society can grasp that one simple task.  Sadly, I just don't see that happening.  So, I'll hold on to the hope that one day soon, the heavens will open and these days of what are literally "Hell on Earth" for so many will fall away.  

~Allyson~