“And you, child, will be calleda prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” Luke 1:76-77
Years ago I vowed to not watch TV news because it made me angry. I’ve kept that vow, but stayed informed by going to websites to simply read the headlines. I want, and feel I am required by God, to know what issues my world is facing. I cannot be a responsible Christian if I do not. But last night, while Katie took a shower, I watched the news. Listening to the stories, God labeled me… “GUILTY!”
I don’t really know if it was more God, or my conscience. But it didn’t matter. The label stuck… and it stung. Visiting Israel years ago, our tour group was led all around the country to see historical sites. When they took us to see the Holocaust Museum, I got through the first room, then walked out. I simply could not look at what I already knew to be true. I needed no convincing. Apparently I did last night!
History class taught me that the Allied liberating troops, after WWII, had a policy of filming, and even forcing German civilians to view the atrocities committed in the death camps. The point was to make sure everyone KNEW. Ignorance was not to be permitted as an excuse for evil to prevail again. Watching the news, I was overcome with guilt. The EXACT same atrocities are happening TODAY.
The news stories flowed from witnesses and pictures of Hamas attacks on October 7th. They then panned to college campuses where Jewish students have been facing Anti Semitism. From there, the stories moved to my U.S. Congress where support for Anti Semitism is being nurtured. A final story showed Netanyahu pleading, “Where the hell are the women’s support groups around the world?”
Not sleeping well is a byproduct of stress. Stress is an understatement of how I feel. Sure, I’ve written to my representative and vowed to give some money somewhere. Apparently God isn’t happy with my level of enthusiasm over the continued level of evil I have ‘willfully allowed’ to flow under the bridge of my life. As of last night, “I didn’t know” is a flag I can no longer fly. Now, ‘I’ must DO SOMETHING!
I am a called Christian living in a world that uses ignorance and double talk to front evil. I am called to go into the world to tell Good News. But Good news means nothing unless people first understand the bad news. ‘John’ was called to give his people the ‘KNOWLEDGE of salvation’ from their ‘sins!’ He has assigned me that exact same task. I don’t even have the right to ask what YOU are going to do!
