Sarah D. Shearer

Last year, I visited Washington, DC for the first time. It was incredible to see so many pieces of American history. We truly live in a unique country and I was moved as I surveyed the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and so many other parts of our collective history.

It’s almost painful to see so many of those very pieces being attacked and even destroyed right now.

I’ve been pondering what this destruction will bring about and if these violent acts are really going to effect any positive change. It made me think about what can *actually* be taken from us.

If a statue holds actual power, we are all in trouble. It may hold sentiment, and it may hold memory or historical importance, but it doesn’t hold actual power, and I think we’ve begun to attribute power to things that are actually powerless.

I’ve seen many people trade their faith for fear, and I’ve seen many more give power to other people over their own actions. I was taught that the only power someone has over me is the power I give them.

I implore Christians to consider if you’re looking at the USA and the state of the church as a lost cause, giving all your hope and trust to statues, the cries of some angry people, and a literally defeated enemy.

“For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

Hebrews 10:37-39 ESV

We are called to live in victory, in unceasing prayer and in total peace. Our hope is not in this government, these monuments, this country, or even this world.

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV

Yes, these are strange days, perhaps even the last days, but even this is no cause to give up, live in fear and stay home because the world is scary.

Examine how many of your decisions are rooted in fear? Future plans? Having children? Do you say things like, “I’m not scared, but…?” Have you lost all hope in this world? Good! Place your trust in God. His mandates haven’t changed. Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. Live at peace with everyone. Love your family. Submit to your husband. Cherish your wife. Be fruitful and multiply. Be full of joy.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 ESV

Friends, I see so many people losing their you know what and I think they’ve forgotten they are trying to fight a battle that’s already been won. Jesus has overcome. He paid the price for black lives, white lives, Hispanic lives, Asian lives, unborn lives, and every life in between.

His sacrifice was enough. Not enough, but.. ENOUGH. Sufficient.

He asked us to abide in him, to have relationship with him, and to live at peace and without fear. Our peace is not found in politics, in the circumstances of every world order, or in the erection and destruction of statues.

They have no power except that which we give them. Don’t give the enemy a bigger role than he deserves. He loses in the end. In Christ, we are overcomers. Live like your dad owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He does!