“Blessed is
the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who
hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” – Revelation
1:3
There is a battle raging all across our nation, a struggle of
life and death, good and evil, light and darkness, truth and deception. As much
as one would like to avoid this conflict, putting our heads in the sand or
circling our wagons are not viable options.
Although it
may seem that hostility and incivility have increased at an alarming pace, this
war is neither new nor should it be surprising to God’s people.
Ever since the
garden there has been an adversary seeking to crush and destroy the light of
God and the people of God, but it does seem that in the last few years that the
enemy is no longer operating in the shadows.
The
desecration of marriage, the murder of the innocent (like in Herod’s day),
crushing national debt, political corruption, the vilifying of Christians and
their values, the violent, global rise of Islam, sexual immorality and
confusion, the pornography epidemic, and masses of churches abandoning the
Gospel – all of this and more is enough for one to cry out in despair (or move
to a cabin on some remote mountain or island).
But it is for
such a time as this that God has called a people called St. James to shine the
light and hope of the grace, mercy, love, and truth of Jesus Christ into the
midst of peoples, cultures, and nations that are wandering in darkness.
Being awakened
to the realities around us, the dire straits of our day, and awakened by the
light and power of God’s word, demands that we heed God’s call like never
before. “Business as usual will not cut
it!”
Prophetic
words are being released in the parish; the prophetic word of Holy Scripture is
being proclaimed in our pulpits; people are gathering for prayer, study, and
nurturing. More are awakening to the Word and the Spirit and recognizing that “the time is near.”
While the
nations are being shaken, we are called to stand firm, shine the light, and
carry the hope of His unshakeable Kingdom to our world.
This is what
it means to “Love God, Love People, and Build
Community.”
I have you in my heart!
– Marco
