By David Phillips
My Father’s World
Depending on when, where, and how closely you look at it, this world in which we live can appear to be a really rough place. I think this is due to a combination of a couple of things, namely, the real-time nature of media coverage, and the seeming desire to present a sensationally alarming picture. Whether we are looking at reports on the COVID-19 virus or something like the current unrest, protests and riots stemming from the horrific death of George Floyd, it may be easy to get the impression that few to none of us can reasonably expect to survive the next few days. As pretty much every state in the US has begun to “open back up” and allow some measure of normal travel, work and commerce, the headlines are dominated by warnings of the dangers of “reopening the economy despite coronavirus pandemic” (The Washington Post). As protests against racially motivated police brutality make headlines, CNN declares this morning, “George Floyd protests spread nationwide”. Also, social media will always be an inaccurate, inflaming and alarming avenue for current event reporting, as many of the participants have even less wisdom and restraint than media editorial boards. But with the speed of communication these days, anyone can be instantly heard, by millions of people at a time.
I’m not for banning the news media, or certainly not social media. But I am all for trying to persuade everyone to slow down, think about what you’re reading and posting, and react with a little more wisdom and a lot less conclusion-jumping.
We all need to be reminded again that though we are in the world, we are not of the world. This does not mean that we should or even can remove ourselves from reality and live as withdrawn religious hermits. Just don’t get caught up in the fear, the emotionalism and the extremism that seems to be selling so many headlines these days.
Though we often puzzle over how it can be, God is sovereign over this world. That doesn’t mean that He necessarily causes every bad thing to happen, but He is aware of every event, and has the power to bring it all to a screeching halt when He is ready. As such, He allows the natural course of human events to take place, and though His will is that every human being will live and operate within the bounds of righteousness, He sees the worldwide mix of good and bad, truth and lies, purity and immorality. He sees every mind that is persuaded to embrace truth instead of error, and He charges us to live godly lives. Through His providence, He blesses those who do. Upon those who choose not to do so, He does not force His will, but rather reserves for them eternal punishment after this life. He provides blessings and favor upon all mankind in immeasurable ways and quantities, despite all who oppose Him. He lets even them breathe His air.
We often sing the song, This Is My Father’s World. Its words are a good reminder these days:
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s word: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: let heaven ring! God reigns: let earth be glad!