2020 surprises

2020 has brought its share of surprises. This year has gone so far out of the normal range, it’s unimaginable to many. It was not, however, completely unpredictable. There were programs and people in place to handle the things which have happened this year. That being said, there were things which blindsided me. 

Some of these include, but are not limited to: 

There is a complete misunderstanding of the relationship between science and religion by members of both groups. Science is not the enemy of religion; nor is religion the enemy of science. Both are gifts from God meant to enrich our lives. Science is the study of the world God created. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (fiery furnace) were cunning in knowledge and understanding science. The apostle Luke was a physician and writer of Luke and the book of Acts. Paul exhorted Timothy to avoid fruitless discussions and things which conflicted with science. Knowledge is not the antithesis of religion. Greater knowledge creates greater faith. 

There is also the seething underlying hatred now emerging from people claiming to be Christians. In 1st Peter 4.9, Peter is addressing the Church when he tells us to "Use hospitality one to another without grudging."  He tells us to deal with each other with kindness and fondness without grumbling. The original word for grumbling speaks of a ‘secret hidden displeasure not openly avowed.’ That is the very definition of prejudice. This was prevalent in their day. Even in the Old Testament, God spoke to Ezekiel about the secret chambers of the heart where man thinks God cannot see, secret places, where hatred and filth are kept, where these ’secret hatreds’ influence men’s actions. I see people posting scriptures in one post and vile cursing against other races and religions in the next. James says this should not be happening (James 3.10). When James and John suggested calling fire from heaven to consume those refusing to welcome Jesus, He rebuked them, telling them they were entertaining the wrong spirit. Be careful of the spirit you welcome into your camp and hide in the midst of your tent. 

Look around. Everything you see was created by God and meant to be understood by man. This is the work of religion and science. 

Look around. Everyone you see was created by and is loved by God. If we claim to be His children, but can’t love his creation, we are lying to ourselves about who we are following.