It is About Destruction

If I were to design a way to corrupt a culture; turn evil into good and good into evil, I could not do it any better than what is currently happening in our country. The idea of traditional families has basically been destroyed. The healthy value found in employment is eroding. Crimes that used to have penalties now no longer do. Drug use is legal and/or permitted—creating a generation that works less and stays high more. The tragedy of homelessness is becoming epidemic totally changing life in our cities with few workable solutions apparent. Hate, accusations and blame have become the common cultural language–puncuated by vulgarity and profainity, which frequently drowns out any remaining calls for mutually respectful dialogue. Our nation’s leaders are ineffective—unable or unwilling to promote harmony. Our personhood is now being attacked–potentially robbing our kids of their innocence and childhood by gender confusion. Beyond that our culture seems determined to sexualize our kids. Here is a real excerpt from a book designed for kids entitled “Let’s Talk About It” that actually is placed in some school districts in our nation:

“There’s nothing wrong with enjoying some porn, it’s a fun sugary treat.” When consumed right, porn can help you discover new aspects of your sexuality. A great place to research fantasies and kinks safely is on the internet. There’s tons of people and communities out there who share your interests and have all kinds of advice.” Then there is this advice about sending naked pics to friends: “So before you start sending your naughty masterpieces around the world, take some time to get friendly with photo editing, software and apps.”  

I would do all that plus I would make sure to create hostility everywhere—to reduce every conversation to partisan arguing; to politicize everything producing a climate in which everyone is always suspicious, angry and ready to fight.

Obviously, God has to be removed from the national, cultural conversation and churches must be discredited and made irrelevant. Whatever word they do manage to speak would be reframed and labeled as oppressive, hate-speech and attached to some unpopular political agenda that can be easily dismissed. Or even better–politicize the churches and divide them along party lines.

Then I would hand everyone devices that either fuel the anger or dull whatever lingering alarm exists through constant distraction. I would reshape entertainment. No longer would anything “wholesome” be produced. Instead, it would be much darker, dystopic, vulgar, bleak, hopeless and politically charged. I would attack mental health and create the need for addiction as well—get folks hooked on chemicals, porn, gambling, sex, binge-watching—whatever works to make them dependent and prevent clear thinking and productive habits.

I would make pleasure the highest goal and then distort what that means. I would convince people that I have their best interest in mind. Cultural apathy would be the end-game.

And when any voices ever rise up to challenge—I would use every method to silence them; to prevent them from being heard I would bully; blame; accuse; shout; threaten, turn it all political, etc. I would forgive nothing. Instead, I would just keep reminding, rehashing and reliving whatever problems exist—historical or current. I would keep it all raw, fresh and painful constantly on every screen. I would choose violence if necessary and then justify it. I would create a compelling cultural narrative to support my efforts, use all resources to promote it and then dare anyone to differ.

I would distort truth; sow confusion and raise a harvest of disorder and chaos. Then I would normalize it all.

And when good becomes known as evil; when evil is redefined as good, then I will have succeeded.

It is about destruction after all—not construction. “The thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy” (John 10:10) and he ( “the accuser”– Revelation 12:10; “the father of all lies”–John 8:44) is very good at his job

“I Am A Child of God, Yes I Am”

Yesterday I had the opportunity to accompany a few brothers to visit John 3:16 Ministries in North Central Arkansas. This is a ministry to men whose brokenness and addiction has led them to seek the intense and focused six-month program offered there. Currently they have 160 men working to overcome their demons; seeking to restore relationships damaged by what addiction brings; and to anchor it all in the love and presence of Christ. It was quite an amazing experience.

As we gathered in worship I shared in both the celebration of those who have found redemption and the desperation of those just beginning that journey. I witnessed families clinging to one another; husbands and wives with renewed hope; and folks kneeling together with arms wrapped around each other in prayer. It was quite powerful. God was moving in that place to bring healing to broken lives.

Then the song, “I am a Child of God” was led. I always thought this was such an incredible song by Hillsong. The lyrics from the first time I heard them spoke to me, but in this setting–listening to and singing, “Who am I that the Highest King would welcome me?”–It pierced my heart. I understood why the song would resonate with this audience. For these guys to sing, “Who the Son sets free, Oh is free indeed,” there is an additional layer and meaning. But the words were also penetrating my own layers.

One thing on evident display yesterday was transparent humility. It made me look deep within me to expose my own pride and pretense. Who am I? My mind went to Isaiah’s comment about our righteousness just being a “filthy rag” in the presence of God (Isaiah 64:6). I felt a sense of my own desperation as I stood and sang with those around me. Again Isaiah’s words from that text echoing in my thoughts; “all of us have become like the one who is unclean.” It was a moment of clarity for me.

Who am I? That could be answered in numerous ways–spinning the words to portray me in the best possible way. I could shine up my resume; boast of my accomplishments; and seek to impress. I could posture, maneuver and even pander–all to prop myself up so that you would realize just how significantly important I am. But in that moment, surrounded by such honest humility driven by filthy rag realizations, that all was revealed as the empty pretense that it is.

Who am I really? Or who do I need to be completely to make any definite, lasting difference for my family, for my church and for my community?

I am chosen, not forsaken. I am who you say I am. You are for me, not against me. I am who you say I am. In my Father’s house there is a place for me. I am a child of God, yes I am.