Last weekend, I was blessed and inspired through a writing workshop I attended. During this workshop, Andrew Pudewa of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and Andrew Kern of the Circe Institute, spoke about much more than teaching writing to children. They identified what I believe to be a major reason for the implosion of our culture. I am paraphrasing their point: When God was removed from our schools/culture, He was replaced by Relativism. The vacuum caused by the removal of Truth could not escape being filled by a destructive imitation. Without Absolute Truth, there are only shades of gray. If my understanding of Truth makes you uncomfortable, you are free to define it in a way that makes you "happy".
This sounds all warm and fuzzy, but it could not be more destructive. We are created in God's Image and reflect His Nature, even if we deny His Sovereignty. We cannot reject our nature without causing a dichotomy in our souls. There has to be a resolution to this condition, or we will go mad. A house divided against itself cannot stand. So the choice that presents itself is: what do I reject? Do I reject my true nature, or society's definition of my nature?
Unfortunately, in an effort to reject God's Sovereignty in our lives, we must explain away all of His Evidences in the world around us. I believe our spirits recognize their Creator in the world around us even if we deny His Existence. The resulting worldview rejects Absolute Truth, right and wrong, and leaves us with nothing on which to stand. The very foundation of our lives is not stable and enduring, but in a constant state of flux. I know what I believe until someone explains it away by "superior" reasoning. Then I have to start over with part of my "foundation". The uncertainty of never really knowing if I've hit bedrock begins to build a state of anxiety into my soul. Will what I believe be a proper framework for my worldview? Will it allow me to explain the world around me? Will it endure?
Over the last few weeks, I have heard story after story of young people being destroyed or destroying themselves. I have wept over them, even though I didn't know them. I am convinced that we have not given them, as a society, the tools they have needed to live. My generation is still able to stand on the very last vestige of our Godly heritage as a nation. The blessings of the righteous generations that have gone before us created a firm foundation that has, until now, been able to sustain us, even as we were chipping it away. This is no longer the case. My generation has not had a firm commitment to Truth and many people I know cannot really explain why they believe what they think they believe. Our children have eaten that fruit. They have been denied a foundation on which they can stand in the name of tolerance. They are not allowed to say something is right or wrong, because they may offend. Their spirits know what is right and what is wrong because it is written into their very nature by their Creator, but they must deny that knowledge. They truly can not tell which way is up. How can they survive? What is left to them but to deny the truth in their spirits and live for what is here and now? There is no Life in that type of existence. And many times, out of complete frustration, they decide it's just not worth it: just make the pain stop.
In growing up, I was given the invaluable blessing of being raised by parents who declared Truth. I knew what they believed and why they believed it. Their worldview has withstood the test of time. It has proven reliable in every single situation. It has never wavered one iota. I am able, because of their Godly influence, to know what I believe and why. And to know that Truth does not change. It is applicable to every moment of every day. My understanding and comprehension of Truth deepens, but its nature has never changed. The recognition of error in my thoughts is corrected as I am emptied of self and filled more fully with Truth. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever!!!! Is there anything else in our world today that can measure up to that standard? 100% of the time?
We live in a world where everything is considered temporary, transient. The new improved version of whatever is just around the corner. It's enough to make our collective heads spin. When we look around and see chaos, He tells us: "Be still and know that I am God." How refreshing! How reassuring!! What Peace is whispered to my soul. I don't have to rebuild every time a new "explanation" comes along. My foundation is Christ. He is the Cornerstone, Architect, Builder of my life.
Thank you Mom and Dad!! My gratitude continues to grow. Even when we have disagreed on "details", I have known that you were seeking to honor Truth. I have known that you always had my very best at heart. You taught me that there is Right and Wrong. It is not some ambiguous, fluid situation. As a parent, I want to continue to build on the foundation you placed beneath my feet. I want to give our children the ability to stand firmly on Him. As the cultural storm worsens, they will not be set adrift.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:2
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