The thorny issues at hand can obscure a bright future. We are made to multitask. We see with two eyes, work with two hands, and balance our walk and stance with two feet. We can do justice to burning issues within the context of a bright and hopeful future.

Can you imagine the grief, pain, and suffering Jesus felt in the Garden of Gethsemane, sweating as it were great drops of blood as He cried out, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). A crown of thorns and crucifixion awaited Him.

He did endure the cross by focusing on the joy set before Him as described in Hebrews 12:1,2.  We too can successfully conquer the thorny issues we face in our time and place by keeping the joy of His victory in our view. Let’s be informed about the issues we face today but not drowned in the flood of bad news. Let us keep our thumb on the remote, having the good sense to know how to use it. Let us take time to pray and look to Jesus for our instructions. He will give us the courage to get up and act appropriately by sharing His vision of joy made ours. We can be more than conquerors. We can be purveyors of peace, hope, and love in a land of desperation.
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