n e w c h u r c h l i f e : m ay / j u n e 2 0 1 5
Rip Van Winkle learns that he has
been asleep for more than 20 years and
thanks to the advancing of time and
the American War for Independence
he has awakened in a world nearly
unrecognizable to him.
Fast forward and consider several
modern-day fixtures: smart phones,
tablets, terrorism and the breakup of
the Soviet Union. For those of you over
40 the world today in some respects is
unrecognizable from 20-30 years ago.
Now consider legalized marijuana
and same-sex-marriage, two issues or
debates that are raging in the country
today. The legalization of either of these
issues would have been unthinkable
just 20 years ago.
Doesn’t this provide an interesting
conflict? On the one hand we can look at all of our blessings and find peace
in the good that surrounds us, and on the other hand we can somewhat easily
allow ourselves to get caught up in the battles that rage around the hot issues
of the day.
The New Church is founded on the belief that the Second Coming has
occurred and that it was not a literal fire-and-brimstone, war-and-pestilence,
death-and-destruction to come at some point in the future. We believe that the
prophecy of the Second Coming describes a spiritual battle, a spiritual event
that will not necessarily be seen directly and immediately in the world. In fact
we believe it has already occurred!
And yet, I can hear from many people that this world is in worse shape than
ever before, that this country, this society, is headed in the wrong direction.
It would certainly appear that some people look at all the evil in the world
and pine for the days of a simpler, better time. Others look at all the good in
the world and wonder, with joyful anticipation: What’s next? But the reality is
that each of us does a little of both.
Before I switch to my rose-colored glasses let me acknowledge that rarely
do major changes occur in any society without struggle and conflict. The truth
is that there is a battle being waged in America today. There is always a battle
being waged in America, because there is always a battle being waged within
each of us. The Lord, in fact, calls us to do battle – with injustice in the world
and with evil in ourselves.
Rarely do major changes
occur in any society
without struggle and
conflict. The truth is
that there is a battle
being waged in America
today. There is always
a battle being waged in
America, because there
is always a battle being
waged within each of us.
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