Wars and Rumors of Wars.

The Clarion Call of The Faithful Christian

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6 KJV

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I don’t need to tell you that we live in tumultuous times. There isn’t a day that goes by when someone doesn’t reach out to me to convey a feeling of anxiousness or fear. Fear for their children, military spouses, or for the general future of our country. It’s not a silly, unfounded fear. We truly are experiencing bizarrely dark times, and if you don’t already sense the heaviness of that, you’re not paying attention.

As a Christian, it can sometimes feel like we are called to live dual lives - an angel on one shoulder is whispering troubling messages into our ear, reminders of societal decline and cultural rot. The voice reminds us that our children will grow up in an especially apocalyptic age and their souls will be stolen.

On the other shoulder, a much quieter voice softly recites the truths which we already know but often trade for modern wisdom.

• Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.

• Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

• 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

• Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

• John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

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In our efforts to be informed and prepared, we fall into the pit of despair and allow the temporal to replace the eternal. I’m guilty of it, I’ll admit. It’s not especially easy to erase my mind at the end of each day, after reading thousands of headlines that convey no hope, no goodness, no humanity.

But we’ve been warned about this. We know that this world is passing away (1 John 2:17) and we also know that, as Christians, we will be hated (Matthew 10:22.) Knowing and accepting this is powerful because if we courageously take on the mantel of Christ and live fully in His promises, we can (with His power) bravely reject the lies of a world that’s living on life support.

I often hear people say that they wish they had been born in a different era, and many go so far as to say that they don’t want to bring children into this world, some even regretting having their babies or removing the option of having more. My friends, this is misguided. We don’t have children because the circumstances are perfect or the atmosphere is idyllic. Never has there been a time in history when life was so gentle that a child would move through it unbruised. We bring babies into this world for the same reason that we should thank the Lord that we are living in 2025 - because He selected us for this time. He chose you, and He chose me.

2025 is not for the faint of heart, that’s for certain, BUT if you are reading these words, you have a very specific purpose, chosen by the God of the universe before the world was formed. Think of that. He didn’t have to be born in Ancient Egypt or the Reformation Era, or Post-modernist Europe. No, you were made for NOW. We are here on a mission to proclaim His goodness and mercies.

Therefore, go boldly and preach the Gospel.

Walk without fear. Live not in the shadows. Speak the truth. Do not be afraid.