Like many today, it is hard for me to look at the news. Articles discussing wars and rumors of wars are on every media outlet to which I have access. Daily I can see that I have no political savvy, no military intelligence, and no new revelations that give me any wisdom.
As a wife, as a mother to adults and a grandmother what should I do? Do I need to find a way to “make a difference?” Should something change in the way I live?
I know from two different conversations this week that I am not the only woman who feels this way (I’m sure there are also men who feel bewildered by the circumstances in the world).
As I think about how the Scriptures inform us on these things, I can probably make a well-informed decision about the justice or injustice of these situations. But, because I have no power or authority to change anything, I wonder if that is a good use of my time.
One of the very clear instructions from the Bible about how an older woman should use her time and any wisdom she has is in Titus 2:3-5. It says, “the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”
These verses can be applied to the younger women in our families, in our local assemblies, or anywhere that the Lord points us (or points us out to others who approach us to teach them regarding these lifestyle choices).
It can be a very helpless feeling to look at the big picture and see the chaos and be fearful. But, when we remember all that God has told us about Himself (and us) in His Word, we can find the peace that surpasses understanding. We know that what looks chaotic to us is no surprise to God. In these times of deserved judgment on our nation, we can, by the power of the Holy Spirit in us, be the salt and light that encourages and trains the next generation to look to the Lord and not their neighbors for their peace.
Of course, going through a period of God’s judgment can be halted by the repentance of a nation – which will only come by the regeneration of a faithful people one at a time. In whatever sphere of influence we now live, as born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to be pointing others to see their own sin so they see their need for the Savior who paid the penalty of death for their sin. Many people in this nation (and world) have no idea of the consequences of sin.
How will they hear if no one tells them? (Romans 10:14).
Our God is a God of mercy and grace to those who seek Him. We may not be able to change the world, or even our neighbors, but we can make a difference by pointing anyone we can to the Lord who can grant them both change and peace.
