Friends, our global family is in trouble. As we face the pressures of the pandemic and fight the prejudices of our rights and differences, the Bible says the entire earth awaits the time when things will be set right!
‘Against its will, the whole earth was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.’ Romans 8:19 NLT
If I am honest with you, my family of origin faced its troubles too. As Mum and Dad faced various life pressures, my brother and I often fought over our rights and differences.
Although we were willing to fight FOR each other, there were too many days we squabbled away our family unity. Sadly, things often got out of hand and we all got hurt when pettiness and jealousies crept into our sibling relationship. Only now can I imagine our parents’ grief over our bickering and unwillingness to love each other well.
Can anyone else relate?
Allow me to explain a little more… my brother was a big teaser and knew how to jab my sensitive nerves. But I was just as skilled in other ways. As I fought back for my rights, I willingly ‘dobbed’ to Mum and Dad whenever I could! Sadly, we had a vicious cycle going on for a few years until we learned a few key truths that finally enabled us to BE a united family.
Yes, eventually we siblings did grow up and learned (the hard way in our case) that fighting for our rights does not bring peace and happiness. We also learned that our differences could be complementary, rather than strange. It took time, but forgiveness came and and joy was found in putting each other’s needs before our own.
Interestingly, it was through the trial of my brother’s cancer journey and during his passing that some of the deepest lessons were learned and taken hold of. As a grown up, I now appreciate what an honour it is to be blessed with siblings. But too often, we don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone.
How much we need to learn these same vital lessons as a global family!
*Oh that we would be so assured of our place in God’s family that we could lay down our own rights without fear.
*Oh that we would be so secure in God’s love that we could love people just as they are – even while we pray for needed heart-changes that will lead to freedom and wholeness.
*Oh that we would know the freedom of forgiveness and freely extend this forgiveness to siblings who have hurt us.
*Oh that we would find the joy that can only be discovered as we put the needs of our family above our own.
From this place, and this place alone, can we BE a united family as together we wait for Jesus to make all things right in every nation, in every generation. And while we wait, let us not grieve the heart of the Father through our divisive fighting, but please Him with our unity!
#BEtransformedbytheWord: READ 1 John 3 where the Apostle John outlines God’s sacrificial love and encourages this same characteristic in God’s children. He wants His children to grow in love and to grow up!