I still believe.

I still believe I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

This is what I have said to myself every single day for the last few weeks. I still believe. I still believe that against every death, every news story, and every time I delve deeper into the knowledge about systemic oppression. I still believe that God is in control. I believe the revolution leads to revival.

Maybe this sounds crazy. I know that so many only see death and heartache. There is so much of that to go around. I know so many fear fire and brimstone, and for sure, we should be spiritually concerned with our surroundings. The last days started when Christ left Earth. The disciples warned Christ followers to be aware and alert of Satan, who roamed the earth, looking to destroy. We have been living in the last days our whole lives.

I am sure those who experienced the bubonic plague, or the Spanish flu thought it was the end. There just wasn’t social media to broadcast and preserve their collective horror. But it was there.

I am sure those who lived through the great World Wars thought it was the end. After all, there was systematic destruction of the Jewish people, among other people groups. Can you imagine if we had a 24HR news cycle and social media in the years preceding and during the Holocaust? Not to mention the years following...

I am sure that the Africans stolen from their homes during the transatlantic slave trade believed it was the end, especially when they arrived in America to find relentless persecution, slavery, and death. This was often supported by a skewed interpretation of the Bible.

Obviously, this list is not in chronological order, nor is it all encompassing. I am making every effort to not sound dismissive, but I am grappling with this idea that we are all just waiting for Jesus to strap on His sandals and come get us. I absolutely love the Lord and to be with Him, full and whole in His presence, is my goal. But while I’m here, everything I do must be in pursuit of the instructions He left me. I must be about Kingdom business.

Go and preach the gospel.

Mourn with those who mourn.

Bear one another’s burdens.

Pursue justice.

Love mercy.

Be humble.

Our distractions have been stripped away. No sports, no entertainment, limited engagement with others. The noise level, in a sense, has been significantly dimmed. Are we leaning in to what we are called to do, here and now? Or do we call Jesus up every day, begging Him to get us out and away from all these people?

All these people He loved so much that He stepped outside of eternity, into humanity, to bear all our sin and shame. Naked, beaten, body destroyed. He ran toward us, despite everything He KNEW we would do against Him and against those He called us to love. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13 (NLT)

So do I believe we are in the last days? Yes, of course. Do I believe we have done all that Christ asked us to do, in His name? No, I do not. If you just want to jump ship, sit down in that discomfort. Let the Peace speaker, the King of Kings, the reigning Saviour do his work in your spirit. He has not stepped away to take a call. He has not forsaken his children. He grieves over us, shares His love with us and blesses us daily with mercy. Don’t look away from what He is allowing you to see. Lean into Him. May the Holy Spirit correct us, lead us in love, and change our perspectives and hearts where we are wrong.

I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living. Amos 5:24

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13