Lost Children?

Good Morning,

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

I don't much believe that things happen because of mere coincidence. Webster tells us: coincidence... a striking occurrence by mere chance of two or more events at one time. In other words things just sort of happen and when one thing follows another, it's just some chance that those things occurred. I don't thing that's true. I believe that God has His hand in things, especially when we're being obedient to His urging in doing what He would have us to do, as I try to do each day.

Okay, so what in the world does that have to do with sending this message today? And this particular verse? You know, I'm not exactly sure, but my heart was touched by a news item that I read about and a video I watched concerning children who have run away from home because "home" to them was pretty much unbearable. You see, it's become somewhat of an epidemic and it's becoming more and more prevalent now, during these difficult financial times when families are losing jobs and home at an alarming rate. These kids just don't see how staying in their situation is best for their lives. (If you'd like to read and/or see what I'm talking about here, please contact me and I'll give you the web address(es) to look at.)

All right, I read a disturbing news article and watched a video that bothered me when I thought about these children who seem to have lost all hope and have really not much of a future. Then, as I began to read the various devotionals and Scripture verses that came to me this morning, I saw these verses in Ephesians. Back to my original point: It isn't a coincidence.

God is telling me something. I believe He's telling you something, as well. I think we're getting a warning today about the way that we live, now, in days that have become alarmingly more evil. The children can see it. They can feel it. And, when we aren't living wisely, as we read we should, they know it and run away from it. Well, they try to run away from it because they don't know any other way to handle that which they don't truly understand.

Yes, I guess I'm rambling a bit this morning with my mortal mind sort of going in and out of my spiritual mind. I mean, what I'm thinking and feeling as a human being and what I'm hearing from God as He speaks through these verses. So, please forgive me if all of what I'm writing today doesn't make 100% sense.

"Be careful, then, how you live..." We've all made mistakes...some more than others...which have gotten us to this particular point in our lives. There have been times when we have NOT been careful, and now we have the consequences of those times. "...not as unwise but as wise..." Most of us have been unwise at some point, as well. And those times of unwise living have also had consequences for us. "Making the most of every opportunity..." Well, let's admit it, we haven't really done that as we ought to have done, have we? Not all the time anyway.

However, that doesn't mean that we're stuck in how we live, being wise or unwise, and taking advantage of the opportunities that still might come our way. This, my friends, is how we are to live our lives! In these evil days our children, our young people, need to see that there is a better way to live each day and in doing so, that the consequences of being wise and listening to God can bring about a life that is worth the living.

So, this is how what I read in the New York Times relates to what God has sent along to us. WE...you and I and all Christians...can be the examples of life that keeps children from wanting to simply escape. WE...all of us, individually and corporately...are responsible to show that life truly can be good and that there's no reason to want to run from it.

Pretty complicated and strong subject today, I know. I've got to tell you that my heart is breaking for all of those who are living on the streets in conditions that are really unlivable and doing things to sustain their lives that are truly despicable. Can I change the world and change this current situation? Well, probably not, at least not by myself. What I can do, what each of us can do, is to...first and foremost...live our lives wisely so children can see something other than the evil that is so prevalent. Then, as the opportunity comes, "...making the most of every opportunity...", reach out to the kids we might see who need our help.

Well, please forgive my ranting this morning, but I really do feel that God wants us to do something, even if it's only a little something, about this. We really ought to, you know?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David