Posted by
peripheral on Thursday, December 04, 2008 5:31:10 AM
From My Perspective - - -
Most
of us desire and want Tranquility rather than Turbulence. We trend
towards peace and quiet rather than turmoil and noise. All of us have a
built-in decibel level beyond which our comfort zones cannot stretch
and/or go. Entering into this mix in our generation is Terrorism where
Tranquility and Turbulence are not part of either the ambition or a
core value of a Terrorist. Terrorism is suggested to have a narrow
objective: “Their goal isn't necessarily to bring down the US
government, just to batter it so much that it accedes to the attackers'
will.” Its intention is not so much to occupy as it is to disrupt.
Most
of us would associate Turbulence with air currents violently vibrating
an Aircraft. There are also storms at sea and the tossing of vessels of
all sizes. We experience turbulence with weather patterns that shift
and produce storms and wind advisories. Some of the definition for
Turbulence is: “violent disorder or commotion; a state of violent
disturbance and disorder; instability in the atmosphere; a disturbed
state; tumult; disorder; agitation…” Last week, an interesting column
by Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal was entitled: “Turbulence
Ahead - Some things to be thankful for in depressing times.” In the
article, she draws a distinction between the Great Depression that
occurred in the 1930s with the events that are occurring now. She
concludes that this economic downturn is dissimilar to The Great
Depression and uses statistics and impressions to make her point. There
is a word that would help her article, namely, “yet”! We are not in a
Great Depression II – YET! However – don’t tell that to the people
where foreclosure is occurring with their homes; or the household
provider who has been told his employment is no longer available; or
the number of businesses that are closing; or the numbers of people who
cannot pay a minimum amount on their bills; or the fixed-income
citizens whose annuity-pension has almost disappeared; etc. We are not
at a great depression level – yet!
Consider these things with me
- - The Bible contains some important references and perspective to
this entire subject of Turbulence versus Tranquility… (1) Isaiah
57:20-21, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot
rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, Says my
God, for the wicked.” This assessment/judgment pertains to those in
Verse 17, “For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck
him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his
heart.” (2) John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to
you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid.” These words are intended to
encourage those who must go forward without the physical presence of
Jesus Christ with them. (3) John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to
you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have
tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Also
consider - - Living in a troubled and tempestuous time does not mean
one has to surrender to turbulence. Tranquility is in a relationship
with Jesus Christ, not with the accommodations granted by a
culture/society. The Yale Divinity School (November 2007) embarked on a
Reconciliation Mission, which states as part of its purpose: “The Goal
of the Reconciliation Program is to promote reconciliation between
Muslims and Christians, and between Muslim nations and the West,
drawing on the resources of the Abrahamic faiths and the teachings and
person of Jesus. The Reconciliation Program is the newest program at
the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. In its initial phase, the
Reconciliation Program is focused primarily on bridge-building
scholarly research on the major theological, political, cultural,
social and ethical issues which traditionally divide Muslims and
Christians, and on concerns which unite them.” It will be interesting
to see if/when the study will bring them to II Corinthians 5:16 through
21, and to embrace the truth of Verses 18-19, “Now all things are of
God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has
given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in
Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses
to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” Let the
Peace From God be the foundation of your Peace With God.