A Simple Question...No Simple Answer

Why?

In my life I have heard the question so many times. "Just because" was usually the answer when I couldn't come up with anything better when my children were small. I know, it wasn't adequate for their young and curious minds, but at times that was the best I could come up with.

Now that they are growing older the question becomes even more complex. "Why is it they are just handed everything? And why don't they appreciate what they have?"

"Just because" definitely doesn't work like it used to.

Did you know that even the Lord asked "Why?"

"And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?" (Judges 2:1-2)

I take the Word of God very seriously. I am pleased that I do not partake in "Cafeteria-Style Christianity." And to the world around me that obviously is hard to understand.

Long ago when my children asked the why's concerning this Apostolic life, I was honest, I gave them scripture, and most of all, I shared my deep love for all that we believe. I showed them the "beauty of holiness" and the blessing of living a life separated from the world around us. And in doing so I have seen my love for all the things of God grow in their lives.

Because of the situation in my home for so many years, there were things that my children were exposed to that I would that I could have shielded them from. But as they matured and the questions continued they were able to make the right choices for themselves based on the biblical answers we found to each situation.

The most important thing I have taught them is that God does not change. He does not change. And it pains me now to see the line of separation blur for so many. And I don't know the answer to the question of why.

I fear the answer to the question of "What next?"

Do not be deceived. This world will not be impressed with the things we "back up" on. With each stand we have taken for all these years we suddenly let go of, do not be fooled into thinking this will affect the world around us. Because, my friends, the world won't be affected if we let go, but we will, we will.

Judges 2:1-3-

1And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

2And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?

3Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

This world has it's gods; fame, fortune, celebrity, status. You only have to read the headlines to see where these things lead. Those bright lights and the recognition associated with them lie in the shadows of the stage of life like a giant hook, waiting to drag away the *realness* of all we stand for, and before you know it our most precious jewels will be led away captive, dressed up like dancing clowns, entertaining the masses. And all we have held so dear, our separateness, our PROTECTION from worldliness will be all but forgotten.

Oh God, my Jesus, may I never forget *why.* Let me live the *why* in front of the world, without shame. I don't want to end up another face in the crowd, I want to be YOUR face in the crowd, refusing to bow down to the dictates of the world. I want to remember, to know that it is not the world I serve. And I want to always be assured that You would NEVER ask me to compromise myself to win the lost, because in compromising myself, in compromising YOUR will for me, I become lost. I love You desperately. Even so, Come Lord Jesus. Come....