He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38
The secular world is filled with examples of bad behavior, bad decisions. In many ways badness, selfishness, greediness, anger, are encouraged by the media. Badness sells. Being bad is “ sexy ” in books, television shows, movies. The lessons and messages of goodness are hidden within the black wash of consumerism. Adultery, divorce, betrayal, disrespect, dishonor are viewed as acceptable, as normal. The secular world does not encourage people to be better people; the secular world encourages people to want more stuff, to spend more money.
There is something very radical in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The teachings ask each one us to think before we act. The teachings tell us it is better to love each other than to be greedy. Sharing is beneficial to both parties. Social justice is attainable and beautiful. To follow Christ involves prayer. We must take the time to evaluate the situations that we find ourselves in, we must take the time to make the right decision.
Christians are not afraid of going against society, Christians are not afraid of ignoring the secular world. The world is often dangerous and evil. These are sometimes camouflaged, hidden by rhetoric, or the trappings of wealth, fame, power. True love, universal and unconditional, remains unwanted and targeted by the secular world most of the time unless there is a natural disaster or other calamity which the secular world wants to use.
How do we live our daily lives? How do we live our Christian lives? What is important to us? What is the most important item in our lives? How important is God to us? Each day these questions in one form or another might pass through our minds each time we make a decision.
As Christians we are reminded about the importance of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves frequently. We each are given opportunities to share our love with others, with others who need it, with others who might reciprocate it. We can share our love, not share our love. The decision is ours.
Each day provides us with opportunities to increase our faith, to make it stronger, to make it more visible to ourselves and others, to make it more elemental to how we live each day, how we conduct ourselves with family, friends, strangers, and other acquaintances. Our lives are filled with all types of anxiety, some natural, some man made. There are always things to annoy us, things to worry us. Life is filled with many things to keep us from following in the footsteps of Christ; there are many diversions to keep us from being good; there are many distractions to keep us from praying.
Finding time to pray to God is both beneficial and important for all Christians. Establishing a strong relationship with God is a necessary part of all Christian lives. We must allow ourselves time to listen to God; we must encourage ourselves to obey God. This is a lifelong mission.
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