Unpopular Topics?

I just had a letter to the editor of two local newspapers returned to me with less than convincing reasons why they didn’t want to publish it.  It made me realize that most news media outlets don’t want to deal with the unpopular topics, especially if those topics are not in alignment with their political bent.

And though some – many – will deny it, they ALL have a political bent.

As do most people, including me.  Not always intentional, but it’s there.

I get fewer hits on my blogs concerning political issues, which is really understandable.  But you know, these issues are not going to go away just because we don’t want to deal with them or think about them.

I’m talking to myself as much as anyone.  It’s discouraging to be told that something you’ve written or said is “not worth publishing.”  (That’s why there are so many bloggers!)  The reason many times is awash with political correctness or political bias one way or the other.

But as believers we actually have a duel citizenship.  An earthly one, where like it or not we are amidst all of the issues of human existence on earth, very few of them pleasant (“only sure thing is death and taxes!”).  As believers we are better off when we realize that even we are not immune to the trials and tribulations of living on this earth.  Christ had a hard time of it (understatement) so why shouldn’t we?  Or, as a good friend often tells me when I want to whine and complain: “Why should it be easy for you??”

But believers also have a heavenly citizenship, and therein find the things we need to survive and cope with the experience of our time on earth.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption as His children. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  (Romans 8)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.   (Philippians 4)

We often find ourselves confronted with LIFE; it’s hard, heart-breaking, horrifying, unrelenting, unforgiving, overwhelming, and just downright crappy at times.

But we have a Mediator, Christ Himself, who intercedes for us in prayer to the Father, and a Sustainer, The Holy Spirit, who Himself prays for us with “groans that cannot be uttered” when we don’t know how to pray, and God the Father who cares about us and knows the number of hairs on our head and our inner-most thoughts.

Who knows us better than that??

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2)

¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4)