I believe the church is operating from lands of darkness. While we have not been taken captive territorially as Babylon, we have been exiled culturally. Our times bear significant darkness; nuclear threat, economic stress, and familial unraveling. Too, I believe our congregations face attendance and contribution challenges heftier than normal.
All of this is said to remind us God works. When do you see Him work if not best in any situation when our backs are against the wall?
When things look their worst---seem the darkest---try to remember God is lurking with hope. This is more than a think positive plea. It is a recapping of something powerful you already know. Through every opposing system which wishes to pull you down and drag you under, God has a surprise route of escape up His sleeve which will baffle all who see.
We saw Him do His stuff when the Israelites were cornered three ways; mountain range, threatening sea, and ensuing armies. What did He do? Well....He did Rock-Paper-Scissors and then said Watch this! He could have split the mountains or squashed the armies. Rather He chose to split the sea in order to nudge His children closer to home.
When the work suffers threat, you can be sure that God has relief rolled up His sleeve. When God does His Rock-Paper-Scissors, it will always be to lead us a bit closer to home. Don't be discouraged. Be alert to His most fascinating moves at the local church where you live. There may be those moments where you wonder if there is any way of hope.....and then recall God will make a way!
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