I wasn’t alive for it, but I heard a song of Kenny Roger’s foray into Rock in Roll (when he was part of the First Edition) “I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.” It was, as it may sound to most people, a song of the 60s, when phrases like “turn on, tune in and drop out” were prevalent. During that time, people were using drugs to “drop out,” exploring different avenues for fulfillment, while examining society, and trying to cure its wrongs by a variety of means. In the 2020s, we’re still attempting this feat.
I’ve noticed lately, on certain social media platforms, that certain words are bleeped out, or people now are using special symbols to spell words while leaving out others so that their posts don’t get censored. Public areas now have safe spaces for when people can’t cope with life. People can no longer have disagreements, they have factions, enemies, and blocking one another because some have equated words and ideas to “literal violence.” Truth be told, this disgusts me. People are looking for safe spaces everywhere. They seem to want to traverse life with absolutely no difficulties whatsoever, wanting society to give the answers, and seeking to find wholeness at the hands of anarchy or legislation. This comes from the fact that, at least in the west, we have abundance and plenty, and, where someone in a third world country would desire basic needs, such as food, shelter, and water, we feel that “basic human rights” include amenities, such as cell phones, vehicles, and a plethora of various luxuries.
I’ve searched high and low, in a variety of places for contentment. I’ve tried using parties, sex, entertainments, and many other “tools” to find fulfillment, and the only place I’ve felt any contentment is in Christ Jesus. And he promises no safe space, apart from Himself. Jesus, God, died brutally after being tortured brutally, and many of His followers, for 2000 or so years, have followed suit. People who have given all to Christ have lost homes, family, friends, lives, reputation, and more, merely because they followed Jesus. There are no “safe spaces” in the Church. There is only the voice of our Shepherd, who seeks to guide us to Himself. And, even in trials, troubles, and difficulties, we can be content, knowing that, regardless of our circumstances, abundances or need, peace or prison, we are secure in Him, both in this life, and supremely in the next.
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Romans 8:18-39
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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