If
I had to give a sub-title to my first 2015 blog it would be When We Nailed the Windows Shut.
This
past Christmas Eve we attended services at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews,
NC. Pastor Dr. Ross preached a heartfelt message from Luke 2:13-14:
Suddenly a great
company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor
rests."
The
birth of Christ is supposed to usher in a peace to all on whom God’s favor
rests. Dr. Ross pointed out that few, if any, are experiencing the peace they
believe Christ promised. Why? The obvious answer is that the peace from Christ
is not necessarily tranquility in our lives or having all we need or want. True
peace comes from our trust in Christ and our best efforts to walk in His way
despite the pitfalls of life.
Dr.
Ross established a personal point in his life when everything changed for him.
It was a time he realized tranquility in the world and our personal lives were
fragile and could change in an instant. For him that moment was the assassination
of our President John F. Kennedy. One’s world view changed from that point on.
He referred to it as the end of “the age of innocence.”
As
a young boy growing up in a coal mining town I recalled a defining moment when
my worldview changed. The home we lived in had no locks on any of the windows
or exterior doors. There was no need to be concerned about security. Everyone
was at peace with each other. That changed one day when a convict escaped from
the police who was transporting the individual to a state prison. The escapee
was reportedly in the immediate area where we lived. That day before the sun
went down my parents had nailed all the windows shut. In hindsight we were probably
more in danger of escaping a fire than an intruding convict.
From
that point on I no longer felt at peace. The words of Jesus in John 16:33 tell
us: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world." We cannot escape trouble. The best we can do is to decide to view
our circumstances with a different set of eyes.
As
we face the coming year reflect upon those moments in life where your worldview
changed by problems, global conflicts and personal trials. Instead of spiraling
downward out of fear and anxiety, look upward. When Simeon saw the Christ child
being dedicated in the Temple he said, “I have seen your salvation, which you
have prepared for all people (Luke 2:30-31).
Use
the defining moments of life as a reason to turn your eyes toward Jesus and
find true peace.
Robert
Parlante
January
2015
My worldview changed in 1979 or 80, I believe it was. The shooting of a US reporter by guerrillas in Guatemala was filmed by his shocked film crew, and it was shown on the evening news. That may have been the first time a real death was show on TV, and I was a stunned teenager who didn't want to believe such evil existed in the world.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda ... Thx for your comments. When crime or death comes close to home our worldview does change. I grew up during WWII as a toddler who still was not reading. Everything was hearsay for me. I felt insulated until the incident with the convict. Suddenly it was close to home. Too close for comfort. That's when I fully recognized there was evil in this world and no longer felt at peace.
DeleteHope we get a chance to work together this year. Have a Blessed and healthy 2015 ... and a creative one too!