*Reader discretion: events discussed that may not be suitable for everyone*
I know we all have been watching the news lately and it’s all, well, let’s say it’s overwhelming to say the least. It seems like every time you turn it on there is another tragedy that has occurred.
I came across an article that was talking about a woman who was riding on the subway and was raped for 27 stops. 27 STOPS!?!? Not only that, bystanders on the subway with her were seen with their phones out and appeared to be recording the incident. NO ONE INTERVEINED on the woman’s behalf this whole time. At that last stop, an off duty employee saw what was going on and pulled the man off and was able to get help. They said that the whole attack lasted approximately 40 minutes.
We now have regular announcements being made for children that have been kidnapped or gone missing. Some of them have happy endings like a recent one where the grandmother chased the guy down and passers-by joined in and got the little girl back. Some of them are unfortunately not happy.
It has become a big thing to see videos on Instagram showing “Karens” acting out towards restaurant and other business workers for something not turning out the way they wanted. Just like the situation above, most of the time these are recorded but those recording do not step up and voice the fact that this isn’t right.
I could go on and on all day about everything that is shown on the news. I could go on about how times are changing and have been changing for decades. If you are like me, you may have noticed that things seem to be getting a whole lot worse quickly. If you are a believer like me, you may remember that the Bible says that things will.
As a believer, we are told that we will know the season for Christ’s return. That we will be able to see it in our everyday life. Growing up, I didn’t fully understand what that meant. Just like most things, you go on thinking that you won’t witness this in your day.
As believers, we are warned that as the time gets closer, things will get worse.
Romans 1:28-32 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (KJV). The behaviors we are seeing now have been happening for hundreds of years. That was clear back during Paul’s time.
Matthew 24:37-39 says: “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
We are seeing things getting worse and not better. We have people wanting to defund the police, some of which would assume get rid of them altogether. We have individual’s working to take away basic human rights. We have professionals leaving and losing their jobs because of being forced to comply with mandates or lose their jobs.
As a believer, I want to share that I find this time…important. I have been searching for the word, the right word, to use to describe the emotions and thoughts behind this time. I think that’s a good one. It is IMPORTANT now more than ever to share with others, to love harder, to protect. While we are told these times are coming, we are also told to stand up for the weak, protect our children, help guide the lost.
Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do well; seek judgement, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
Those people on the subway should have stepped in to help that lady. Now she has to live with the memories and the scars. Those passersby that DID step in to help that grandmother were in the right place and did the right thing, and now that little girl is home safe with her family.
I want you to reflect of those events, plus maybe some local to you that you may have heard recently. I want you to pray yourself up. Pray for courage to step in when you see something wrong. Pray for those who have been hurt and their families.
As scary as it might be to step in, wouldn’t it be better to do that than to not do anything. It isn’t supposed to be easy. If it was, than everyone would do it.
