
Before we were married, my husband-to-be and I took marriage classes through a local church. One of the things I remember them warning us about was marrying with the expectation that we could change our spouse. The truth is, modified behavior results from within a person--no amount of reminding, teaching, asking, or repeating requests will alter another. They have to want it for themselves. All that "reminding" we do only leads to stress within the marriage. (That's good advice, by the way.)
Given that, I don't know why my expectations are any different when I look at the world today. I still hope people will learn from their mistakes and change their ways. But I think most of us can agree things are not going well right now. The violence in our streets seems to be escalating. In this election year, the blame game and mudslinging are in full force at every level of government. Many people living near our southern border no longer feel safe in their own homes. Deaths from fentanyl and other drugs are increasing. And let's not forget that it feels like World War III is on the horizon.
I keep wishing the hearts of unbelievers would be changed, but violence and hatred continues. What did I expect? People who reject Jesus will continue fashioning their own "truth" while the real Truth, who is Jesus Himself, is waiting for them to acknowledge and trust in Him. It seems like everyone wants God (if they think of Him at all) to possess only characteristics that make sense to them. Their "truth" turns God into their own personal deity, wrapped neatly in the box of their choosing.

I get it. Sometimes God doesn't always make sense to me, either. I'm sure you also have questions. But as a believer, I'm willing to admit the God of the universe knows everything, sees everything, and operates for our good, even when we don't understand His ways. God does not live in any box designed by human minds.
What about you? Are you frustrated with the chaos in the world around you? Despairing over the evil you see? Maybe you can join me in refocusing our attention not on the world around us, but on Jesus who is the only One who has the power to save us from ourselves. Despite what we see around us God in His unfathomable wisdom has everything under control. Jesus Himself said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b)
Let's cling to that, my friends.
Until next time,
Toni

Always nice to read your newsletter 😊
So very true, we need each other’s support and kindness to keep us on the path to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.