We Are an Anxious People!

It’s amazing how anxious and fearful we can become!  Specifically, in the past few weeks, I heard from numerous people about how concerned, anxious, and afraid prior and post presidential election.  In the previous weeks, I also heard from many people on how anxious they were about Game 7 of the world series, and how they couldn’t even watch the game because it was so intense.  And that’s just from politics and sports, this doesn’t even begin to account for the anxiety and fears that come from our daily lives and responsibilities from family, work, school, our own health and well being. 

If were to just take a step back and look at our lives, we could say that humanity overall seems to be anxious and fearful!  The funny thing if you read the Bible which has stories that go as far back as 5,000 + years, not much has changed.  It’s no wonder, the main message from God throughout the Scriptures is “Do not be Afraid” and “Peace, be with you!” We need to be constantly comforted, constantly reassured that everything is going to be ok. 

From the Gospel, this weekend, you can sense the anxiety and fear rise once again.  Jesus begins to tell the Jews about the upcoming destruction of their temple; that which is the center of their worship, faith, and life!  And yet, Jesus seems un-phased as he proclaims the future collapses of kingdoms and nations.  Why? 

I think because Christ is trying to reveal something deeper about our faith.  Our life is more than buildings, more than politics, or even sports!  Our life is about relationship with the Lord and that can be never taken away!  Jesus came into the world to take on our greatest fear and greatest anxiety, which can be found in death.  He doesn’t run away from it, but transforms it!  So, if you are finding yourself in fear or anxiety, do not put your hopes in worldly things that will fail us and fade away.  Place your hopes in the one who will never leave us, even on the cross; place your hopes in Jesus Christ!