In Time

I was the kid who always cried on her birthday because I liked being whatever age that was passing away. I distinctly remember turning seven and my mother trying to restrain her laughter as I wailed, "but I liiiiike being six!"
Standing on the edge of a milestone year, it's neat to be looking forward to whatever's next.

But I'm sad to watch the fear that's gotten a chokehold on the American church. The list goes on: the election (and whatever side you're on). Loss of a way of life. Perceived loss of acceptance of the culture. Fear of people not like us arriving in our country. (Gasp.) Wars and rumors of wars. I had to stifle a laugh at a recent meeting where the minister giving the devotional hand-wringingly referenced "the last gasp of American evangelicalism."

Good riddance.

I'm, for the first time, extremely excited. I wear my cynicism like a jaunty beret, so  this is saying something. The "Christian" cultural veneer has finally been stripped away and we can finally begin living like we actually believe it. Loving our neighbors as ourselves. Trusting God for the outcome, whatever it is. Not being scared of certain people or ideologies. Not freaking out over the future, because the day's trouble is sufficient and God is sovereign. At least that's what we say in our Sunday services, right?

Let's get on with the work of the Kingdom: loving people and pointing to Jesus. The future is so (ultimately) bright, I gotta wear shades. Hopefully they color coordinate with the beret.