As we approach Christmas I think back to the era when Jesus came as a baby. Times were rough. I know the first believers thought that He would make life better, but He didn't. Then when Jesus ascended things got worse. Those who embraced His teachings were threatened, arrested, beaten, or stoned to death. In the midst of these threats I see something that speaks to me - they had backbone and stood up to the pressures of society. Even threats of death did not stop them from spreading the message of Jesus.
Looking at today and all the craziness - truth being smothered in favor of lies, wars and rumors of war, mysterious weather occurrences - I feel we are living in similar days.
Does this mean Jesus will be returning as the Bible prophecies tell us?
That would be cool. To be taken away from all this mess.
But what about those who don't know about God?
Some say things are going to get worse. Others say that God is going to fire up a world-wide revival so that those who don't know Him will find about Jesus. I wonder... could both of these theories be right? What if things get worse while God's power ignites a revival across the nations?
No one will be able to sit idly by and watch the two sides compete. We will be drawn into the path of revival or settling for the norms of society.
So, a question arises for each of us... are we like the early followers of Jesus? Do we have a backbone? Do we have the gumption to keep our eyes on Jesus so that the wrong thinking of the world does not cause us to back down?
I will confess, in my earlier years I did not always have a backbone and would shift my position based on the arguments given. Presently, my focus has been on Jesus and maintaining a backbone has become easier.
No matter what the days ahead may bring I know God will use it to get His plan accomplished. Being prepared to give an answer... to stand up for Jesus... that's our way of being prepared to receive the Messiah when He returns. (Matthew 25:1-13) Remember - with Jesus - there is always hope.
