The world has gone mad.

We are about to elect as our next president one of two unsuitable (in my opinion) persons.  One candidate is a blustery, arrogant, and bombastic, albeit financially successful, businessman.  He will seemingly say whatever comes to his mind, will deride (distastefully at times) his political opponents, and will even divide his current party affiliation.  No matter.  His unwavering supporters cheer him in throngs.

The other candidate has incontrovertibly lied to us.  Not once, not twice, not even three times.  Indeed, she has lied to us so many times it makes my head (and stomach) spin.  She apparently has even perjured herself while testifying before Congress.  Hmmm . . . such talent must run in the family.  Yet, her supporters shrug.  That’s because a lie is no longer a lie.  Instead, it’s a misstatement.

We have police officers allegedly shooting unarmed men.

We have “protesters” acting as snipers, randomly killing police officers.

We have mass shootings – at schools, at courthouses, in public squares.

We are subject to random acts of terrorism, most of which are conducted in the name of religion.

We have a government that spends like a drunken sailor – teaching much of my fellow citizenry to do the same.

We are forced to allow men who claim to “identify as women” to use the restrooms and locker rooms of their choice.  We are told not just to “tolerate” it, but to “celebrate” it.

We’ve had traditional marriage redefined for us by five unaccountable black-robed judges.

We are told to use euphemisms when discussing uncomfortable topics (see, e.g., “reproductive health care”).

We have a Church too fearful to stand up for Biblical absolutes.

We have sexual predators in church leadership positions.

We have pastors encouraging congregants to celebrate the slaughter of innocent victims.

We have pastors accused of wrongdoing and, instead of bravely sticking around to (supposedly) be exonerated, cutting and running, only to start another church in another town.

The list could go on.  We live in a crazy, mixed-up, sin-sick world.  I’m sorry to break it to you, but it’s my belief that it’s only going to get worse.

There is good news, however.  News that gives me hope, and that should give all of my fellow Christians hope.

You see, over 2000 years ago, Jesus provided His disciples, and thus, by extension, all of His followers, including us, with the source of hope.  He did so by first providing bad news.  The bad news is that we will have trouble in this world.  Not may, not possibly, not perhaps, but will have trouble.

He then went on to provide the good news.  News in which we can take solace.  News in which we can rest.  News in which we can have hope.  He told them, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”¹

In a world gone mad, that’s all we can do – take heart, knowing He has overcome the world.

^{1.  John 16:33 (NIV)}