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Sure, the title refers back to the Commodores R&B traditional “Brick Home,” a staple of my faculty soundtrack and a composition that sings the praises of, effectively, one thing aside from a well-constructed constructing. For our functions, it calls to thoughts the idea of God as our “Mighty Fortress” in instances of bother. And let’s face it, there may be greater than a bit of misery on the earth proper now. Granted, I’m a politics geek and this can be a political season, however even for those who’re not in the least focused on all that drama…there may be a lot afoot to darken anybody’s day. Calamitous climate occasions nearly every day, unending wars, shortages, tit-for-tat cycles of violence, unresolvable conflicts- a seemingly rising help for authoritarian rule worldwide, on the expense of particular person freedoms and liberty. It feels just like the arc of humanity’s progress is starting to bend again the opposite approach. I generally expertise what I’ve heard described as emotions of resignation and hopelessness, that are new to me. It seems like powerlessness within the face of inevitability, like taking a mountain curve too quick, however in gradual movement, being totally conscious of careening towards a ditch and the steep precipice past, however unable to show the wheel.
At instances like these, I received’t fake that my first inclination is to all the time flip to Scripture- I’m extra apt to show to CNN. However God’s Phrase calms and consoles. Our rock and our refuge, because the authors of the Bible describe the presence of God of their lives and in ours. Even when a respite of the soul lasts solely till the subsequent breaking information alert, figuring out the Method makes our journey swifter and simpler: the trail to peace of thoughts is obvious and vast and well-marked. Scripture reminds us that there’s a loving God who’s in cost, and who has been for the reason that starting of time. It demonstrates that no matter is going on isn’t new; it has occurred earlier than and can once more, and that as dangerous because it appears at the moment, that is solely a blip within the context of eternity. And just like the message on the small, balsawood chotchke resting on my desk suggests about earthly issues, and that Scripture underlines, “this too, shall move.” The ornament reads, “Every part can be okay ultimately. If all the things isn’t okay, it’s not the tip.” Mates, it’s not the tip!
This second in time is a mere blip, however it’s ours to confront. God is in cost, sure, however I don’t subscribe to the “let go and let God” strategy to the issues throughout us if means doing nothing. Jesus instructions simply the other – that we use our lives and presents to remodel this kingdom for the higher, identical to He did. In keeping with his educating, this implies not judging others; it means tending to those that starvation and thirst, giving voice to the powerless; striving for financial fairness, effecting kindness and forgiveness as a primary impulse, fairly than looking for retribution; caring for everybody, particularly those that want it most- the outcasts and troubled, the poor and infirm, those that society considers unredeemable and unlovable. These have been the main focus of Jesus’ ministry on earth and, as his fingers and ft on this second in historical past, they’re our concern additionally. Jesus says that loving Him means loving one another. And that entails greater than lip service. As Augustine writes, we must always “pray as if all the things relies on God. And work as if all the things relies on you.” It means doing our greatest for everybody whose path we cross. On this second, I’d add, it includes viewing those that disagree with us for what they honestly are: our brothers and sisters.
People, I’m certain you’ve seen that the journey is getting bumpier. When you want a bit of shelter from the storm, choose up a Bible, open it to someplace within the center and discover the knowledge and reassurance of the Psalms. You might come throughout Psalm 46, written over 3,000 years in the past, that brings consolation in instances like these:
“God is our mighty fortress,
all the time prepared to assist
in instances of bother.
And so, we received’t be afraid!
Let the earth tremble
and the mountains tumble
into the deepest sea.
Let the ocean roar and foam,
shake the mountains….
The Lord omnipotent is with us.
The God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Mighty, mighty certainly! The tune pair is a primary draft, a demo, of a tune I wrote whereas finishing this Uplift, taken from the Psalm 46: “Mighty Fortress (46).”
Till subsequent time, keep protected, be courageous and hold strolling within the mild.
Mighty Fortress
God is our mighty fortress
all the time prepared to assist
laborious instances and in bother
He’s our heaven despatched
let the earth tremble
let the mountains tumble
into the deepest sea
God is our mighty fortress
and I’m not afraid
Nations will rage and Kingdoms fall
their riches laid to waste
However our residence can’t be shaken
our treasure by no means taken
He says comply with me
Tune hyperlink: “Mighty Fortress (46)”
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