Where Do We Go From Here?

We just finished the seventh week of the Study Jesus the One and Only at Bible Study last night. This was a good week. Not that I've ever experienced a 'bad week' in one of Beth's studies, but this week just really hit home with me in a lot of ways.

As we were watching the video leading into Week 8 last night, my friend's husband sent her a text message to say the election had been called. It seemed so early in the night for it to have been called.

We didn't stop to talk about it, in fact she didn't even announce it to the group. Just mouthed it across the table. I have to say, it was a bit hard to concentrate on Beth's message from that point forward, but I did. And I'm so glad.

Beth highlighted three portraits of our Passionate Christ. The first being that He is passionate about His people's praise (see Luke 19:28-40). Second, He is passionate about His people's peace (see Luke 19:41-44). Finally, He is passionate about His Father's House (see Luke 19:45-48). Each of these really hit home to me in what we, as a nation need to focus on in the coming years.

*Christ is passionate about our praise. Even in the uncertain times that we are facing as a nation, we need to come together as a nation of Christians to praise Him.

*Christ is passionate about our peace. Earlier in the week, on Day 4, Beth talked about the peace that comes from living under God's umbrella of authority. That when we choose "to seek and obey his commands, the enemy may oppose us and even oppress us, but he cannot thwart the fulfillment of God's plan for our lives." (p. 162)

In Luke 13:34, Christ longs to draw the children of Jerusalem together under his wings. I believe that He also longs to bring our nation under His wings. It seems, though, the majority of our nation has chosen not to follow. Does this mean that He will turn His back on our nation? I don't believe for a second that it does. We cause Christ deep grief when we refuse to accept what He offers us--His peace. Do I think, that because our nation has chosen to step out from under God's umbrella of authority that we have lost all connection with Him, His love, His power, His peace? Not for a moment. Just like He did with the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), God will stand searching the horizon for us to return to Him, to His umbrella of authority. He will embrace us and smother us with kisses, give us His best robe, put a ring on our finger and sandals on our feet. He will bring up the fattened calf and kill it. He will hold a feast in our honor and celebrate us.

*Christ is passionate about His Father's House. In Revelation 1:12-13, 20 we see the picture of Christ walking among the seven lamp stands (churches). He is here. Now. Walking among our churches. Among us. Oh, what a picture!

Even now, as our country is headed down a difficult path, to know that we as individuals, as churches within the Body of Christ have Him walking among us, that we as individuals and churches can remain under His umbrella of authority, that we can choose to accept what He offers us, that we can stand together to PRAISE Him during this time of trial is a blessing that many others around the world would give their lives to experience.

Back to my original question.

Where do we go from here? I believe the answer is as straightforward as any has ever been.

To our knees in prayer.

Luke 12:25-26 tells us, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"

On Day 2 last week, Beth touched on worry. She said, " All our worry in the name of love can accomplish absolutely nothing. But all our praying in the name of Jesus could entreat God to accomplish anything. . .The prescription for worry is trust." (p. 156)