The world is a crazy place right now…even if you live in “Mayberry” you can’t help but notice.

The other morning I had planned on a quick peruse of our local newspaper. The headline pertained to an argument the city fathers were having about where to plant trees. Next to the Corn Palace? Across from the Corn Palace? (I told you I live in Mayberry.)

However, it didn’t take long to scan other articles and end up with a knot in my stomach and tears in my eyes.

“Officer Down” was the article from the Washington Post. Names of the policeman that had perished were listed.

“North Korea is Gearing Up” was one of several articles from the Associated Press regarding heightened tension and increased threat of ominous nuclear activity.

Sex offenders, DUI’s, and possession of meth sprinkled the rest of the paper.

The world is upside down friends. And it is in our faces.

New’s from half way around the world lands in the palm of our hands within minutes.

That can be a good thing. Never before have we had tools like this at the tips of our fingers. Tools for staying connected. Tools for building relationships. Tools for spreading Good News.

However, while Face Book, Twitter and Instagram are figuring what’s appropriate for all the world to see we’re also exposed to atrocities, pain and down-right evil.

How does a DoAhead Woman respond?

I hesitate in my response because I fear I’ll sound trite.  Trite in the face of pain is nothing but salt in a wound. Not the kind of salt I want to be.

But I truly believe the answer is simple. And since I tend to over-complicate I’m going to run with my gut and give you my one-word response.

Christ.

Christ alone.

Christ is the answer.

Christ is the hope.

It’s all about Christ.

This business of an upside down world is not new. God said in Isaiah,

“My people don’t know up from down.” (Is. 1:3)

We don’t know up from down do we?

At least I don’t.

I get confused.

I lose perspective on what’s most important. Sometimes I lose sight of the truth. And the truth is this:

“We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. Everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angel—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in Him.” Colossians 1:15

DoAheads, I’m not here to tell you there is purpose in the chaos…global or personal. But I am here to tell you that despite the chaos there is an underlying reality that chaos tries to obscure.

“The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple.” Colossians 1:27

So what does that mean?

• Does it mean I can make myself feel peace?
• I can make myself worry less?
• I can make myself nicer, kinder, more helpful, more spiritual?

Oh how quickly I want to try harder. But can I really do those things?

No. No, I. Can. Not.

But He can.
“Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve.” Colossian 2:11

“We can grow up healthy in God only as He nourishes us.” Colossians 2:19

Finally! Something I can do!

I just need to eat!

But I know my nourishment won’t come from the daily paper, TV or news feed on my phone. I need to keep in touch with the world so I can respond to the world’s needs but I dare not park there. If I do I end up with an emaciated spirit and a body that lacks the strength to serve.

I need to focus on Christ.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

“Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ…see things from his perspective.” Colossians 3:2

The state of our upside-down world grieves God. When our personal worlds are upside-down God grieves as well.

Upside-down is called upside-down because it wasn’t the original design.

The chaos, hurt, fear and pain never were (and still are not) His desire for us.

And so Christ came.

He put the pieces back into place and showed us how to live in an upside-down world. And He left us, not abandoned, but equipped.

I don’t know how He does it friends, I just know He does! When my own hearts cry is “God I just can’t do this” that’s when Christ moves into action.

How is He asking you to respond to an upside-down world?

• Forgiveness for yourself or someone else?
• A neighbor that needs your help?
• Fortitude to get up and not give up?

I could write on and on about all the “it’s” He’s touched in my life but I’ll close with a verse that I think sums up what it means to live in an upside-down world.

“As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.”  Colossians 1:12

{Inspiring, convicting and heart-warming words about our upside-down world are being shared over at Suzie Eller’s #livefree. Stop over today or sometime this weekend. You’ll be blessed.}

***If this post leaves you wanting more I encourage to check out the book of Colossians. If you’re the kind of person that wants a specific call to action check out Chapter three. Pull your chair up to the table, tuck a napkin under your chin and feast.

You DoAhead Friend,

Cindy