I Wanna Hide

The world seems to be coming apart at the seams. North Korea keeps threatening to lob bombs at us. Evey time I turn around, some major city is having riots. Around the world, it seems like there’s a weekly terrorist attack. The world isn’t at peace. The U.S. feels like it’s on the brink of some kind of civil war. No place feels safe. Makes me want to tuck my tail between my legs and go hide in a closet. I’ll put my fingers in my ears, and you can tell me when it’s all over.

All this angst in the world. All this fear. All this chaos. I’ve been reading Eric Mataxas brilliant book, “Bonhoeffer.” In case you don’t know, here’s the cliff’s note version of “Bonhoeffer.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Christian living during the time of Hitler’s reign. He saw Hitler come to power and saw the evil that was Hitler and the Nazis. He decided Hitler needed to die. He was evil. Bonhoeffer joined a group who conspired to assassinate Hitler. Bonhoeffer is arrested and dies a martyr’s death. Just before Bonhoeffer is killed, he is in imprisoned. He thinks he’s getting out. During this time he purposes to his love, saying he needed to say “Yes, to the earth” is saying yes to God. He rationalizes that saying yes to life is saying yes to God.

I loved Bonhoeffer’s thinking. In the midst of massive chaos and the evil that was Hitler and the Nazis, Bonhoeffer found something to celebrate, a marriage. He believed that we must live our lives, enjoying them, when we do that, we are acknowledging God. When I read that, I realized I can’t tuck my tail between my legs and go hide in a closet. I need to live life. Saying “yes to God’s earth,” is saying yes to God.

Guess what? God designed this planet. He designed you and me. He created our taste buds, so we could taste and enjoy a good meal. He designed colors, so we could see beautiful things like flowers, blue skies, and beautiful oceans. He gave us a sense of touch, so we could pet fat roly poly puppies and feel their soft fur. He created us to hear so we could enjoy birds singing, music and the sound of babies laughing. And unbelievably God designed sex. Yes, He is the creator of sex and not the devil. It’s meant to be enjoyed through the sanctity of marriage.

God is the creator. Being a Christian isn’t wearing sackcloth, never bathing, and eating only bread and water. Many people think that’s what a Christian is. A true believer will live this life. They can enjoy the things God created. When we know the creator, we can enjoy the creation.

So I need to go forth and live my life without fear. I need to march ahead, trusting God will care for me. I need to enjoy this world, since God has created all of it. It is a fallen world, but still God’s creation. So let’s march ahead and say yes to God. When I’m tempted to run and hide, grab my hand and remind me not to. And when I see you with a helmet or hazmat suit on, heading to your underground bunker, I’ll remind you of the same. We’ll keep each other accountable. Let’s say yes to God.