With chaotic current events, sometimes it doesn’t seem like problems have solutions. Yet it’s actually easy to discover what the world needs now.
By the time I click “publish” on this blog post, some new kind of crazy disaster or surprising conflict is likely to erupt across the globe. From mass shootings to bombs to coup attempts, the past few weeks in this world have been unsettling, to say the least. It feels like it’s the end of the world as we know it.
If you’ve read the Bible, you know that this kind of chaos is to be expected. Matthew 24:3-8 recounts a discussion between Jesus and his disciples:
“As he [Jesus] sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’
“And Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.’ ”
Since Jesus hasn’t returned yet, we can expect wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes.
Further, in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the Apostle Paul describes what people will be like in the last days … and it sounds a LOT like so many people today:
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
Only one thing
Friends, we’re in the last days. Really, when you think about the Bible, Jesus’ followers were waiting and expecting His return, thinking they were living in the last days. So we’ve been in the last days for centuries. Even though this is true, Christ may not return in any of our lifetimes. Or He may.
Regardless of when he returns, you can be absolutely sure:
- There is only one thing that will change a person’s heart.
- There is only one thing that will make a person stop loving themselves or money.
- There is only one thing that will bring humility, gentleness, obedience, gratitude, or holiness.
- There is only one thing that will appease a soul.
- There is only one thing that will cease all slander, brutality, and treachery.
- There is only one thing that will bring a love of good and a love for God.
A thriving relationship with Jesus Christ is the only thing.
What the world needs now
While society may tell us that “what the world needs now is love,” society is wrong. All the social programs and policies in the world won’t solve the current problems. The problem is found in the hearts of man. It’s sin. And it’s been stirring up strife and creating chaos since the Garden of Eden.
What the world does need now is Jesus.
A faith in Jesus is one thing – a very important thing. But a life completely devoted and surrendered to Him is the only thing that will bring change to this world.
A life that’s devoted and surrendered to Christ is one that will overflow with love for everyone.
To a person who is devoted and surrendered to Christ, all lives matter. And because all lives matter, devoted followers of Christ will work –in the power of the Holy Spirit – to bring healing and peace to this fallen world.
What does this mean to me?
If you’re wondering how to make a difference in this world, first ask yourself if you’re a follower of Christ. Have you asked Him to save you from yourself and the sins that separate you from a Holy God? Have you asked Him to be Lord of your life and take over?
Once you’ve done that, have you sought a devoted life? Start praying each morning, before you even get out of bed, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to live a life of devotion – that the Lord would work through you in the day that’s ahead of you.
Keep praying throughout the day. Pray for guidance. When you’re tempted to take on the cares and challenges of the day in your own power, pray for the Lord’s will. Pray that His responses would be your responses. Pray that His love would be evident in your own life. Step out in faith when and where He leads you.
Then repeat this process each and every day. As you continue to approach your days and the moments of each day like this, He’ll transform your life. And believe it or not, through your transformed life – and the transformed lives of other believers – He’ll begin to transform the world.
If you’ve devoted and surrendered your life to Christ, what difference have you noticed in your approach and outlook on life?
All images courtesy of Pexels.
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Amy says
This article is beautifully spoken! Everyone needs JESUS!! If I did not have Him I would be broken, hurting, really selfish, unloving and unforgiving. But the more I get to know Him the more I become like Him, the more I want to please Him and do the right thing. Most of all, as I continue to receive comfort from Him through life’s challenges I am able to show the same comfort to those who are hurting and in need of some encouragement. Jesus is…the answer to our every problem. He is the only one this dying world needs!
inkblotsofhope says
Such a wonderful article in so many ways! Thank you for writing this, Hilary. Shared. 🙂
Hilary says
Thank you so very much!!