Questions of Faith in This Present World

What is this that I'm feeling in this present world?
As the nations shake and war...and spread rumors of wars...
Is it to any surprise that these things are at hand?
Were we not warned?

Yet, are we supposed to also shake and quake
in aftershocks of the things of the world as the news reports?
Is this how we were meant to respond?
Is this why we were warned in advance?

Are we meant to reproduce and repeat the fear and doubt?
Were we meant to share the news of darkness
and let it fester in every heart that trembles?
Are our minds, hearts and mouth meant to be the storehouses of fears?

No, my brothers and sisters.

Were we not meant to shine?
Were we not meant to be a lighthouse in the midst of the storm?
Were we not meant to be a place of peace in the place of war?
Were we not meant to snuff out fear with love?

Are we not meant to kneel and pray
on behalf of our family across the world...
the family that is hurting, suffering, mourning...
Were we not meant to en-courage (input courage) for those who are faint?

Do we not believe in a God that is greater than the devil?
Are we not meant to proclaim His goodness and faithfulness?
Are His promises near to us--our hearts, minds, mouths?
Are not His words like honey to our lips?

Are we not recognized by the world for our love?
Are we not called His beloved
because of His love flowing out through us?
Are we not meant to be known for this, for His renown?

Are we not meant to destroy the works of the devil?
Are we not meant to heal the sick?
Are we not meant to raise the dead?
Are we not meant to do greater works than these?

Are we not meant to be filled with the very presence of a Holy God?
Are we not meant to be the head and not the tail?
Are we not meant to bring the life and fullness of Jesus wherever we go?
Are we not meant to ask God, "on earth as it is in heaven"?

Are we not meant to speak life (and not death) into all situations?
Are we not meant to forgive as we have been forgiven?
Are we not meant to rejoice always and be full of joy?
Are we not meant to walk humbly with our God?

Are we not meant to receive good gifts from our Heavenly Father?
Are we not meant to be the apple of His eye?
Are we not meant to be loved and cherished by Him as a bridegroom loves his bride?
Are we not meant to be adored by Him as a creator adores His creation?

Yes, brothers and sisters. We are and we are meant to be.