A Radical Decision
It takes courage to think alone, to resist alone, to stand alone—especially when the crowd seems so safe, so right.
Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
It takes courage to think alone, to resist alone, to stand alone—especially when the crowd seems so safe, so right.
In a world hell-bent on having its own way, it is terribly difficult to cultivate the right attitude toward authority. The "QUESTION AUTHORITY!" mentality is so interwoven into the fabric of our society, it seems impossible to counteract it.
Living as we do in a product-oriented culture, we like to package our faith, too. We prefer to sell a slick, shrink-wrapped version of salvation that includes happiness and peace, and happiness here and now, and heaven by and by.
Ours is a cluttered, complicated world. God did not create it that way. Depraved, restless humanity has made it that way!
Make no mistake, however; peacemaker is not a synonym for appeaser. This is not peace at any price. There are limits.... Smiling at wrongdoing or erroneous teaching doesn't simplify life; it complicates it.
We work and push and strive so we can prove we are worthy...we are the best...we deserve top honours. And the hidden message: I can gain righteousness all on my own, by my own effort, ingenuity, and energy. And because I can, I must!
Much of what happens in life we simply have to take by faith. Answers will not be forthcoming.
Nothing wrong with planning. Nothing wrong with thinking it through. Nothing wrong with doing your charts, listing all the pros and cons, talking it over...
Friends give comfort. We find strength near them. They bear fruit that provides nourishment and encouragement. When something troublesome occurs in our life, we pick up the phone and call a friend, needing the comfort he or she provides.
I know of no greater need today than the need for joy. Unexplainable, contagious joy. Outrageous joy.