Social Decay

Interesting, how little news there ended up being about the replica arch actually going up in New York. There were even reports that it was cancelled for display. But, no--apparently not. Still went up. A monument to human efforts to remain steadfast despite tragedy, despite suffering. Which, if that were in context of acknowledging God, then well be it. But it's not.

The arch which was up and is now traveling internationally as a temporary installment in particular, prestigious cities apparently served as some sort of entrance to the temple of Baal. Wiki says it connected the main social thoroughfare, the Colonnade, with the temple. The entrance, yeah.

It's so easy to pass off things like that as being inconsequential. As though there were no significance. As though there were no meaning.

We all tend to shrug things off. The nation of Israel certainly did, too--long years of complacent ignorance maintained in remaining turned toward idolatries of all sorts, despite many whom the Lord sent to plead truth, pleading a return to Him.

Again and again.

Thing is, though, if the only thing wrought is fearfulness and anxiety, then that's not of the Lord, either. I remember hearing mention of holy desperation at various points, yet even there...weeping between the altar and the porch?

Calling all to fast, coming to solemn assembly?

Really, though, except that the Lord lead and direct, there's no point.

It's just so strange, though, hearing about suffering in so many other places but having seen the desperation and utter desolation in the eyes of so many, hereabouts. Total dejection. Total despair. No hope. No friends. No family. And so many people without homes, living on the streets--some per addictions, some per abject inability to function as part of society, and some due to general dysfunction. Some are incapable of work, for all the many varied reasons.

Mental illness is so prevalent, as part of the all. Increasingly. Even as society increasingly fails to mend and increasingly turns toward modes of operation which marginalize and destroy the weak, the defenseless, and the poor--silently marginalizing and crushing the life out of them, for the most part.

The only answer I have is Christ. But He is the only answer. Turn to Him, returning to honor God, individually, then to be led by Him in giving and serving and defending others. But so long as society continues to deny Him, tragedies and travesties will increase...except that He mercifully continue to largely restrain the outworkings of sin, at least.

Why are we testing Him, though? Why are we ignoring Him and acting against Him so blatantly?

There's so much scoffing at God. He says we all know He exists and who He is, but just suppress that truth in unrighteousness--so there's no excuse, is the thing. Because we all know Him for who He is, even having turned against Him. Even scorning Him.

Blatantly. Denying Him and mocking Him while simultaneously seeking to become as Him, humanity is so far set in opposition. Even with things like attempting immortality per advances in cryonics, genetics, nano-tech, bio-tech, and robotics--striving to defeat death and disease using modern technology. Which...alchemy has been a "thing" for as long as humanity has been in sin, it seems.

Just so weird to see these things. Especially weird to recognize them as acts overtly against God.

And pain came today. Which also helps distract from anxiety--cuts thoughts off before any go too far, so to allow for touching upon things which otherwise might tend to totally attempt to overwhelm it seems. Interesting, too, how pain can either temper harshness or prompt self-indulgence--either way seem as likely, except the Lord intervene continually. Especially given I do seem more
vulnerable to self-pity, unless pain obliterates ability to think straight, entirely. But prayer is vital to endurance. So, praying. The Lord's been keeping me in peace, still, primarily.

I really appreciate that the He dampens and ousts terror when things would otherwise terrify. And I will trust Him. There is nothing else.

And there's only one more day of work, for the week. One more day before there might be opportunity to recuperate. Hopefully. Had been trying to rest for the past few hours--finally gave in to coming here, in hopes that afterward exhaustion may kick in.

I know the Lord will make a way, though. He has, He is, He does do so. He will. I will trust Him.

In the midst of absolute chaos. A perfect storm? He is my hiding place. And even though vengeance is His, and He is terrifying in His majesty and power, I'm utterly grateful and find comfort to know Him as my Lord and Savior.

Not that He doesn't terrify me, still, at times.

He's God. He's beyond all imagining. Power beyond comprehension.
And I've sinned against Him. We all have.
We deserve all manner of destruction, as consequence. Very sobering thoughts.

And I think on Job and how he continually attempted to justify himself. As though he didn't deserve suffering, whatsoever, for having attempted to live a right life before God. As though he had never erred, as though he were thus somehow on equal standing with God, Himself--as though he was above reproach, thus sufficiently justified in questioning God's motives and actions in regard to himself.

God chastised him for that, outright--reminded him of holiness and of omnipotence and omniscience and eternal wisdom.

Even having recognized Job before the heavenly court as a man who was  striving to live in a way which honored God, still, He chastised Job for questioning His actions and for attempting to justify himself rather than Him.

And that's what it comes down to, again and again. If we say we are above suffering--that we don't deserve it--we call God a liar. He will help us endure. And many times may deliver us from suffering, even especially into His peace. But He hasn't removed the curse of sin from the earth. And we've all sinned.

It's a very difficult truth to really consider. Thankfully, even as only through Christ's atonement, we're able to come into a position of reconciliation whereby someday we'll be delivered out of these bodies of death into ones which are like our Lord's own--new creations. Someday.

But that hasn't happened yet. And these bodies and this society and this world and all which is in and on it still suffer the ravages of the outworkings of the consequences of sin.

So sin's not a light matter that should be shrugged off. Mocking God isn't a light matter.

Suffering is wrought thereby: Grievous against God, and suffering is wrought unto others, per the curse.

Sin's somehow like a disease that gradually spreads infection, damage, and ultimately death to the cells, the tissues, the very fabric of all of creation. He allows us to have what we will, though, to some extent which He limits per grace.

I don't know where He draws the line. I don't know why He lets us rage against Him to such extents. There are so many travesties. So much suffering. So much death. But, then, maybe we're all like that, though some are restrained by grace to a greater degree of inhibition from acting upon such impulses. I can't imagine how much it grieves Him to see the pain and injustice we inflict upon each other, even. Let alone against Him, Who loves. 

I don't understand the manner by which He draws us, either, really. Maybe it's still along the lines of that bit discussed yesterday regarding "types" of mission (we're all servants of God, sent to minister unto others)--one proactive, one responsive, but all being acted through and upon by God in ways largely unbeknownst us.

Maybe it's as that, still.
The intricacies are so very finely woven with varied threads of divinity entreating unto humanity and of a response which is likewise subtly discerned, intricate.

And the thing that maybe makes this all most difficult to comprehend is realization that there are legitimate paradoxes which are part of this all--like being simultaneously with Christ in the heavenly realms while also amongst the world. Paradoxical, but it's been written.

So, I don't know. So many things I don't know.
Just wanted to spend a few moments in thought.