What can you do about the increasing evil that is penetrating every corner of our world? To be realistic and blunt, not much. The fall of this world was a foregone certainty before the Lord spoke the first word to create it all (Isaiah 46:9-10). None of what is transpiring is surprising to God. Every bit is part of His mysterious but sovereign plan (Ephesians 1:11-12). I don’t get it.
This isn’t in any way how I would write this grand story. Then again, I am so obviously not God. My “perfect plan” would fall apart within seconds. No, that’s too long; it would immediately fail because I am not omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, or omnibenevolent. It’s not all bad news though. While we can’t stem the tide of evil flooding our world, there is something we can do.
In the midst of all the dark chaos and sin, we can be the light Christ commands us to be (Matthew 5:14-16). We are here for a purpose at this specific time in history. Before the world began, God determined the part we would play in His grand design (Ephesians 2:10). We rarely pause long enough to contemplate the enormous privilege and responsibility this is. We cannot comprehend what God is doing in the mess that is this world, and it’s all too easy to become fearful and discouraged (John 16:33). So, what can you do? You can play your part.
We’ll never understand what role we are meant to play unless we are spending quality time in the Word of God. We’re going to have to dig deep. There is a vast treasure in the beautiful pages of that Bible collecting dust on your shelf (Psalm 119:162). Your daily reading plan or the verse accompanying an evening devotional isn’t going to cut it. That’s not spending time in the Word. That’s treating the Bible like a novel. If you want to unearth buried treasure, you have to exert a lot of effort, put in the work, and take your time.
Did you know ancient tradition tells us the nickname of the Apostle James, the brother of Jesus, was “old leather knees”? It doesn’t sound flattering until you understand what was behind the moniker. Because James would spend so much time praying, he developed callouses on his knees. How much time are you spending in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Colossians 4:2; Luke 18:1-8; Ephesians 6:18)? Even in the best periods of my life, no one would ever call me “old leather knees”. For this, I am ashamed. If we want to understand our mission, we’re going to have to know Jesus a lot better. It’s time we develop some callouses of our own.
In a world that seems intent on destroying you, what can you do? You can be the person God intends you to be. The fact you are alive at this moment in history is no mistake or accident (Acts 17:26). You are here for a purpose (Proverbs 16:4; Psalm 138:8). You are part of the wonderful and amazing plan of God (Romans 8:28). Don’t get discouraged by what Satan is doing. Rather, be encouraged that God chose you to be a light in the darkness (Philippians 2:14-15). Don’t be afraid; your God, the only true God, is going before you into every battle (Deuteronomy 31:8). Stand strong because the end has already been written, and we all have a part to play in furthering God’s plan (1 Corinthians 15:58).