Sunday Afternoon Tea - Searching For Beauty and Peace in the Crazy

Autumn, 2009

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

Ephesians 6:12

I am learning this Fall that I need to look for the Beauty since the late season heat (the heat index was around 90 yesterday) and the rain have not been conducive to the leaves turning pretty colors.  However... if I look for it then there is Beauty to be found.

That is what I have been learning in many ways this October... and September... and perhaps all of this past year.  Mainly this Fall, though.  My heart aches as I turn on the TV and see the circus that is the hearings for the new Supreme Court judge.  I just cannot believe what happened and how far it is from what is suppose to take place in these hearings.

I have to admit, it made me afraid for awhile.  If this is what is going to happen to a man who is beyond credentialed to be a Supreme Court Judge... all because he is a pro-life Catholic... then what does it mean for Bible believing Christians overall?  What does the future look like for our children and grandchildren?

This is someone who has been vetted numerous times by the FBI already and who was confirmed by the Senate for the position he has been holding already in the second highest court of the land.  This was not some Johnny Come Lately who left no paper trail previously.

All because he is a devout Catholic, which makes him most likely going to vote pro-life.

My friends... I had to seek Beauty.  I had to seek Peace these past couple of weeks.  I purposely looked for it in nature.  I obviously looked for it in the Psalms.  I read the first chapters of Romans and all of 2nd Timothy for Truth.  They both talk about crazy times and seasons.

I could not avoid the news because it was on every single station it seemed.  They were on the local news when I sought out the weather forecast.  Those hearings.  So I had to purposely find balance.

I don't care if you are a Republican or a Democrat or a Socialist or a Communist (well, I might care about that in the long run).  Living in a University town, I have had friends of all kinds.  I don't ask for paperwork before making a friend to see how you voted in the last election.  I have had a friend for decades who is a Bernie supporter.

It doesn't matter if you are a Christian or an Orthodox Jew or a Muslim or an Atheist or a Buddhist or a Hindu or any other kind of religion.  Honestly, while my closest friends tend to be Christians (birds of a feather and all that)... other long time friends are Jewish and a few who would say they are nothing at all.

My son's best friends for many years (and still friends today) include homeschooled Christians, Hindu young people from India, Jewish young men who voted for Bernie, many who were uncomfortable about any kind of religion, and those still searching.

What made me practically ill watching what happened with these hearings was that the Rules of Law were completely thrown out.  People were allowed to get away with what is actually against the law when they stormed the hearings and they had to be stopped over and over because of the noise. Why were they allowed to do this not once but over and over? 

It is, if not against the law than highly unethical, for members of Congress to encourage people to get in the face of those who disagree with them and to continue with other intimidation tactics.  Some of these people have encouraged the assassination of our President... and got away with it.  Members of Congress!

Other aspects of the hearings, if not actually against the law, would have been unheard of in years gone past.  I remember looking at my husband at one time and asking him if the "squeaky wheel" will now be the one who gets their way in Washington?

Is our Republic going to be held captive by the people who can shout the loudest and throw out the most obscenities?  Is this our future?  I don't know.  The crazy situation probably has only temporarily calmed down.  Until the next Supreme Court Judge retires?  Until the mid-term elections?  I honestly don't know.

What I do know is this...  I am increasing my prayer life.  I am praying more for our Leaders.  I am praying more for my family.  I am praying more for courageous men and women of God to be raised into possessions of leadership. I am... praying!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood.

Maybe it is good for those of us in the West who have lived in generally quiet political situations to be shaken up once in awhile.  The Jesus Movement revival and the Charismatic Renewal that started in the Catholic church were birthed during the season of great unrest in the 1960s, with the "race wars" in the cities and the protests against the Vietnam War. 

So join me as I look for the Beautiful and the Peaceful and pray for a Great Awakening.  For honestly, there is only one Person who can solve today's problems and it has nothing to do with what side of the aisle you prefer.

I'm sure He has seen it all already and nothing surprises the Lord.  He may remind us that this is part of the seasons and times before His return... but He still tells us to pray... and be salt and light in our own little sphere of influence.