“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man” – Luke 21:34-36

IT WOULD BE ludicrous to deny or turn a blind eye to the disturbing realities that are sweeping through our world of liberty and affluence. Oftentimes we may wonder if what we hear and see throughout society (without having to specify) is really taking place; these are the kind of scenarios that make fit for novel reading or to escape the real world by entering the surreal to watch the latest disaster blockbuster movie. As much as we’d like to snap out of this bad dream, the undeniable facts are before us whether we choose to face them or not.

The intensifying aspect of pure madness and chaos that plagues the political sphere in our day and age is how far we have progressed only to grossly digress. Who would have believed that the freest nations on earth would be heading towards a dictatorial and tyrannical rule? The notable literature of Huxley and Orwell no doubt has a part to play in our subconscious, which ever side you might adhere to: a people militantly held against their will or anaesthetised through a plethora of entertainment by the powers that be; either way, Big Brother (for the sake of relatable terminology) has ‘his eye on us’. The famous slogan, ‘Those who ignore history are prone to repeat it’ has become a platform of shear mockery by world leaders who deliberately defy such warnings in preference for ill-gain.

Christian sanity is to recognise that this world and its government holds no hope for mankind; it is only through Christ do we find eternal security. A healthy spiritual outlook, as Christians, is to consistently walk in the Truth that we are pilgrims passing through this world to a ‘city made without hands’. The moment we settle down in this world is to indeed befriend it. Friendship with the world was foreign to early New Testament Christianity and equally as much for modern Christendom to abstain from it. There must be a striking distinction between the world and the Church, not just by name or profession, if she is to walk again in power.

While hard times are sure to hit the Church before her Bridegroom returns, the governing priority – to seek first the kingdom of God – shall always remain her first duty. We are to perseveringly watch and pray at all times, to maintain a sober minded attitude if we are to avoid the subtle snares of this world, not for individual self-preservation, but collectively and unitedly as the body of Christ.

The greatest concern for every Christian isn’t in knowing how to survive through a national crisis, martial law, economic collapse, etcetera; rather than worrying to stockpile on foods and goods, ensuring all measures of our own security, we ought to prioritise our walk with God. Are we afraid of losing the experiential peace we have with God, a heart of sensitivity to the will of God, a mind to discern the voice of God? How different are we from the world when discussing the repercussions of societal breakdown, a nationwide military takeover that overrides human rights? Are we going to be weighed down with care? Are we going to turn to anything other than besides God Himself to aid us through the things that will be shaken visibly, or are we going to display an unshakeable confidence in God?

Where is our security?

It is not so much escaping tribulations as escaping the trap of anxiety that paralyses one from walking confidently in God. Can we walk assured in God amidst horrific circumstances? Of course we can! “In all these things” says Paul, “we are overcomers.” This is the witness and testimony of the Christian that no other movement or religion could ever imitate because the power is not of us but of Christ Himself; this is where the reality and power of Christianity is made evident; that where all human ability has been exhausted, God is made known; in the midst of hopelessness and after pride’s fall, God makes Himself known. No flesh will be exalted in God’s presence, only the contrite and broken in heart shall be lifted before a holy God.

It is God’s intention that we stand tall in Him amidst the chaos. It is confidence in the knowledge that God’s purposes are flourishing, no matter how evil the days are worsening; it is knowing that in such times, God will never leave or forsake us – that He will continue taking care of us – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”; it is God saying to us, “Lift up your heads for your redemption draws ever so near.”