Walking at Night

Well, I turned half a century + 2 about two weeks ago and  as usual, slept the day away. Of course, that is what I do with most weekdays, especially Tuesday through Friday. As I took some time to reflect and ponder some thoughts on the Christian and his walk in a world that is antagonistic toward his beliefs.

• Living with a Christian worldview in a dark, dark world. Ungodly behavior has become so commonplace that it is now considered the norm. For the Christian, our life can and should be a bright light in this dark world, but that is only possible when we live according to the life principles found in God's word. We get so concerned with our desires and our lives that we tend to act and react according to man's way, not God's way.

• Living with a purpose in the midst of the difficulties and struggles of life. Suicide rates are up, especially among teens and young adults. One of the primary reasons is that so many people live with no sense of purpose beyond themselves. What is it that drives you? What drives me? We were created to glorify God, but to do that we need to seek out chances to serve. We do need to remember that we serve not for the sake of serving, but to minister to those that God loves and share His love with them.

• Living with value in a world that devalues life. The world that we live in has reduced or removed the value of life. In a land where abortion has become commonplace, should we be surprised when there are so many other displays of self-centeredness. It could be assisted suicide, it could be as common as unintentional rudeness that pushes through the crowd or runs the red light regardless of the possible tragic consequences.

• Living a life of gratitude in a world of self-centeredness. As we navigate this world of selfishness and self-centeredness, it becomes easy to expect and demand our way and our rights. The life of the Christian should instead demonstrate gratitude and thankfulness, whether for the great things or the mundane. Every gift, however its magnitude, is a gift from God and we need to express our thanks. Usually, God uses others to meet needs and provide those gifts and to them we should be thankful as well.

• Living a life of forgiveness in a world of bitterness and hurt feelings. Our hurts are nothing compared to our sin against God. Am I truly dead to self? If so, I cannot be offended, as a dead man feels no sense of pain and hurt. When we are hurt, in order to be sure that we are not going to suffer from bitterness and hurt, we need to initiate forgiveness immediately. Christ, as he was hanging on the cross, proclaimed forgiveness to his tormentors even without anyone to nudge him to do so. Forgiveness is a key component of the Christian character.

• Living a life of generosity in a world of selfishness. In this world that tells us that we need to gather unto ourselves, Christians should do the unusual and give, rather than get. God never condemns riches, but it is obvious in the Word that he condemns those who make getting riches their life's purpose. When God allows us to have stuff, the stuff should be used to be a blessing to those in need. God, who owns all, gave the greatest gift possible when he sent his son Jesus Christ to offer mankind forgiveness of sin and all that comes with it.

Living the Christian life is far more than attending church, giving to the poor, or serving in a soup kitchen. The Christian life is a 24/7/365 activity that requires us to know the Word of God and the way of God and then to live following that Christ set for us.