there is a battle going on for the soul of our culture and if we think we can avoid it,  it will still come and find us. So as a Christian there’s no sense in hiding. You can’t escape. Somewhere somehow it will touch your life and decisions will have to be made.

So when that moment comes how we do battle will make all the difference. The world around us may revel in violence as a form of settling disputes but we must avoid it to the greatest extent possible. The world around us may identify us as persons to be singled out for special public loathing but we must see even our enemies as people God loves and strive to know and support the good in them even if they hate us. We must never respond in anger even if we are unjustly treated. Our eyes of faith must see the image of God even in the person who is attempting to wound us. We must be ready to suffer. We must be ready to endure. We must learn the full meaning of “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Cultures change when hearts are changed and no force or coercion has ever resulted in permanent change, especially for the better. Let the world see our faith in action and the responsibility for what they do with that is up to them.

Remember, history really is on Christ’s side even if various moments of history are precarious, even fatal, to those who choose to align themselves with Him. Knowing this do not give in to fear, anger, hate, or violence. In time the world will be as God wishes it to be and those who understand this can have cofidence, even joy, in the present and certainty about the future.