I am truly confused by what’s going on in the world. Here are two examples.
This past week, on an American Airlines flight from New York to California, Brian Hsu decided to go to the lavatory after the pilot had turned on the “fasten seatbelt” sign.
When flight attendant asked Mr. Hsu to return to his seat, he hit her in the face, slamming her into the lavatory door.
The flight was diverted to Denver. Mr. Hsu was taken into custody and the flight attendant was hospitalized with a concussion and broken bones in her face.
Why did this happen?
In the Carroll school district, an administrator said, “And make sure that if you have a book on the Holocaust, that you have one that has an opposing, that has other perspectives.”
Why are teachers being instructed to expose children to materials that doubt, deny, or cover up one of the most grotesque moments in the history of the world.
What is going on? Where has all this anger, violence, and insanity come from? Has it always been here and I am just now becoming aware of it?
White supremacists, the New Black Panther Party, Proud Boys, black nationalists, neo-Nazis, skinheads, Noble Klans of American, Patriot Front, the list of hate groups goes on and on…..
Our politicians see the other party, not as people who genuinely want to serve but have different views, but instead, as enemies of the country that need to be destroyed.
News outlets clearly show their bias in what and how they report the news to their viewers.
On the far left there is MSNBC, Alternet, BuzzFeed News, CNN, HUFFPOST, Mother Jones, Vox, Slate, the list goes on and on…..
On the far right are The American Spectator, The Blaze, Daily Wire, Fox News, the Federalist, National Review, NEWSMAX, CBN, the list goes on and on…..
Sadly, each side regularly attacks the other side and paints them as unpatriotic liberals or bigoted conservatives.
In this world swirling with hate, prejudice and violence, there is a way to peace, wholeness, and reconciliation.
If you are tired, confused, and afraid of where we are headed, remember what matters most. You are God’s child. No power in this universe can pull you out of God’s loving embrace. You are safe.
This is what Paul meant when he said to the Christians in Rome, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, as I look at everything happening in the world, I am overwhelmed. But I know you are a God of goodness, compassion, and grace. Help me to trust in you. Give me wisdom and humility to live a life of peace in the midst of an angry world. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
The world can seem like an overpowering place but remember, in the end, God wins. This is why Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
God is good.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 