How to Respond to Rick Perry’s ‘Response’
nytimes.comReligion plays too important a part in many people’s lives to be denied a role in the public square. To be sure, there are some things the state can’t do, like demand that schoolchildren pray each day. But elected officials, like other citizens, are free to have and express religious views. And voters are entitled to support or reject public officials for all kinds of reasons, including their religious views. To hold that elected officials can’t publicly invoke their religion won’t help a country of believers, agnostics and atheists reach any kind of consensus. It will only impoverish the conversation, depriving many citizens of the ability to make, and judge, arguments that reflect their most cherished views.
"Keep your head in all situations"
With all the recent changes in laws and government policy and majority opinion, I have to ask: Do we really need to be losing our cool over this?
I understand we should guard our doctrine closely, contend for the faith, hold true to the Word. Fight the good fight, yes and amen. But if the government legalizes something or if the entire world population decides to oppose the Bible, that does NOT suddenly change God’s mind on the issue. God is God because He doesn’t change. He’s not pacing in Heaven right now.
Paul said it best in 2 Timothy 4:5, which in other translations also says, “Be sober-minded” or “Keep a clear mind” or “Keep your head in all situations.” The Message Version says, “Keep your eye on what you’re doing.” The Amplified Version says, “Be calm and cool and steady.”
See also:
Isaiah 40 — God sneezes and people go out like grass. Here today, gone today.
Proverbs 21:1 — God moves around world leaders like water in a straw.
Psalm 115 — This is His story. You get a few lines.
Revelation 17:8, 19:11-18 — He knows the last day of your life; He knows the moment the sky rolls up and history finishes with the return of the King.
Human laws will be written and broken and changed. Science says one thing, then another. Every TV channel and blog and so-called church has another snake charmer. But the Word of God — that stands for eternity. It’s time-proof, culture-proof, people-proof. It endures forever.
Getting so worked up about life here is like hooking up your dump truck with a body kit and blow-out valve. Don’t furnish your hotel room. Don’t bling out your tent. Don’t build too closely here.
One foot on mission, one foot in the Kingdom to come.
