The second problem is that our interpretations of those expectations are wrong because too many people believe that if they’re not blessed right now the way they think they should be blessed, that somehow God is angry at them! So, they interpret their current conditions as proof of the level of their relationship they now have with the Lord. This is also incorrect and merits further scriptural research.
At one time, our young people had an expectation that everything would be OK in their lives, and never really believed they’d experience real opposition in spiritual matters. So when opposition came, it devastated a great many of these once children, now adults. After you share scripture with them, and they realize they are supposed to have this understanding in their lives, they become the happiest people on earth. You know why? They now expect to be opposed! They’re not even afraid when the trials come. They are totally different once they are Biblically clued in. This generation today know they have the truth. They know they are to have fiery trials, for when they carry the Gospel, they know Satan will oppose them in the worst way. And when it happens, this generation are not distracted. Why? Because people are finally sharing God’s truth with them. And when you share the truth with them, they do not expect their life to be a paradigm. They expect to be raised by the living God His way.
See, nobody told we baby boomers that. Every time I get an opportunity to talk to someone young, I tell them that. This world is not your paradise. It never was, and it’s not supposed to be. THIS WORLD IS TO PROCESS YOU! WITH YOUR BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN THE TRENCHES 24/7/365!!!. And once they understand what it is, they become the happiest, most joyful generation on earth. No depression, no bad habits. It is amazing.
But may we agree, especially for some of us older ones, that we weren’t told as clearly during our younger days as they are now, were we? Or perhaps, we were told but we ignored the admonitions. We, of the Silent Generation (1928-45), & Baby Boomers (1946-1964) 7 Gen X (1965-80) trudged thru the days of the Korean War, the Berlin Wall, the Cuban Crisis, the Vietnam War, the Three key U.S. Assassinations, the Moral Majority, Name It & Claim It, the Prosperity Gospel, and all the other such evangelical seeker sensitive pop methodologies…
And so today, every time I hear older people say, and it occurs quite often, when something goes wrong in their lives, “What did I do wrong?” You know what that implies? When a person says, “What did I do wrong,” they were likely believing that they were indeed, doing everything right! Possible?
BEWARE EVERYONE, for that’s exactly NOT His righteous attitude! I’m fearing those speaking those five words, “what did I do wrong (WDIDW)?” are basing their confidence and security in a church culture, based on following all the prescribed steps, or checking all the boxes, much like the Pharisees. Contrast that synthetic, “form & no substance” to rather, His compelling & enlightening being called, convicted, forgiven, transformed, empowered, including being justified, sanctified, and eventually glorified, Christ Followers! Absolutely no comparison!
Too often church attendance, even membership, is merely a culture expression, so when tribulation floods in, the cultural robot goes sprawling into depression, or worse. But when a spirit empowered person understanding our life’s trials are designed to raise us up in the Lord’s way, such that, when troubles do appear, we are equipped to react unconsciously, much as our body does with its natural immunity. That’s when we exhibit solidarity with Christ, like some of the older people we knew earlier in our lives, like our grandparents, for example, when everything was falling apart, or blowing up around them, they’d just sit there rocking in their chairs saying, “You know, you’re all overthinking this, come, sit down, and have some tea.” And all the while, you’re in your mind saying, “How can they ever be so calm at a time like this?
Actually, they’ve been there, many times. They’ve seen it, experienced it, & know the truth, right? And you know what else they had going for them, that too many my generation are now lacking? I believe God just revealed it to me while I was on my walk after gym this morning. One key is scriptural fluency. Max Lucado read I & II Peter to me on my phone while I trudged the perimeter. I may listen again tomorrow morning. This post is only feeble words! GO for the GOLD, the Holy inspired words from God Almighty. I & II Peter is where it’s at to prepare us for what’s coming!!!
NEXT UP: BOTTOM LINE: For Building His Natural & Acquired Immunity For Kingdom Service…