This post has been inspired by the event involving the senseless killing of Ahmaud Arbery, prayer and reflection, and I believe, insight from the Holy Spirit.
God has been showing me a whole new meaning to having but one hope in Christ.
As a starry eyed, sweetly naive child, I dreamt big. I dreamt of a day that I would become a doctor. I dreamt of a day that I could help be a part of the medical system that saves lives. To an even greater scale, one desire of my heart that I, with great fervor, believed to be a worthy dedication was a longing to see peace in the world. Yet today if one were to ask me if I believed that peace on earth could be a reality… now that leads to a complicated answer: Yes, but not in the way I had previously imagined.
A question has been burning on my heart, as I oscillate to and fro different conclusions: Christy Tak, are you still that wide-eyed, simple minded optimist? Well, yes. And no. Because as life (God) continues to humble me and teach me that things really aren’t black and white (in fact, they are quite grey, coming in as many shades as you could possibly conjure up) I realize evermore that there is an infinitesimal number of life moments where we feel absolutely certain about things.
It seems as though the world is constantly thrown into chaos, with no end. You guys, I’m sitting at my desk writing this in the middle of a global pandemic. Turn on the news and you see another name of a victim lost to the peril of sin. Senselessness. Selfishness. Blackness. Darkness. The forces of sin and evil are greater than we think. In anger and frustration, all of the heavy forced optimism and good intentions in the world don’t stand a chance. Where do we go from here? How do we have hope in this upward battle that we know we are going to lose? Do we wallow in despair and give up on trying altogether?
Firstly, we must accept: there will never be peace on earth. Not until Jesus comes. The bible is very clear about this (See Mark 13, Matthew 24, Luke 21, 1 Thessalonians 5, 2 Timothy 3).
Secondly, we are allowed to see the beauty of God’s grace all the more from this fact.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33
I believe wholly in the sovereignty of God. Every event that happens is only able to happen because He allows it to. Through a tender whisper or mighty lion’s roar, He speaks things into existence and nothing happens that He doesn’t expect to happen. I’m not saying all efforts are futile because God brings new mercies every single morning. I say all this, not to discourage, but rather encourage and point people to Christ. As you try to make this world a better place, remember that when things feel futile, you are working against impossible situations. It’s not your job to fix this world. Only Jesus can, and sometimes accepting this is one of the most frustrating and difficult moments of life.
While fighting the good fight, brothers and sisters, we do not lose heart. We do not shrivel back in fear. There is no fear in love because perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). When we have the love of Jesus reigning with peace and power in our hearts and minds, we receive strength. Not our own human, fleshly, incompetent “strength,” but true strength that only comes from above. We fight injustice with all our might, we pray for the sick, we give to the poor, and we do all we can to live like Jesus did.
One of my favorite quotes of all time is words so eloquently spoken by a well-respected man and beloved child of God.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
John 8:12. 1 John 4:7-12. Jesus is the light of the world. God is love.
So don’t get me wrong. I have not lost that dream of world peace. In fact, I am comforted all the more by the fact that there will come a day when peace is attained at last. When the blood on earth’s hands will be wiped clean and the sweat of its brow will stop flowing. The day is approaching, for it is quick and waits for no one. My dream will be fulfilled. Not in the way my 10 year old self was thinking of. But with absolute certainty.
To come full circle back to the first line I had written with pretty much no context: there is one hope in Jesus Christ alone. Truly, in desperation, I am able to say this.
Only Jesus can save. Only Jesus can bring redemption and freedom and peace from the suffering, ailing condition of this world. In the meantime, I will continue to advocate for light and love, all the while eagerly awaiting that promised day.
Rest in Peace Ahmaud Arbery, along with every other victim of gun violence.