Miles McNair

Have you ever been scrolling through the various social media websites that you hate but their design is so good you keep coming back just to get angry?

I know as we scroll — and see all the decisions being made by elected officials, the various snide comments, not to mention the ever-so-present trolls that lurk in the dark recesses of your feed, waiting to ambush any benign post they can lay hold of — we can get discouraged. And by discouraged, I mean we get angry and lament at how stupid we think people are, how they need an education and many other impolite thoughts that you’re surprised you had!

But what the gospel calls us to do is to flip this on its head and realize we are the ministers of reconciliation and despite the insanity, we are blessed to be here; I mean right here, right now.

What an amazing opportunity that the church of God has to make an impact on this world at this present time.

As a lover of history, I often dream of the “good old days” or I would even take January 2020. Back then times were simpler and Aunt B had a pie for you when you came in from the day working the fields or policing a quiet town. Alas, what we see as the perfect setting, Mayberry, is an illusion, as man has been sinful since the fall and each era comes with its trials and tribulations.

When peering back to those days we perceive as better, we must remember that God has placed us here, he has placed us now, and he seeks to use us where we are.

As was proclaimed to Esther during trying times, “You’ve come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” This should ring in our ears, this should stir our souls. God has providentially placed us for this time to be salt and light to those around us and the world at large.

(Miles McNair is the connections pastor at New Life Church of Powell.)