Pendulum Swings

The pendulum swings to extremes and we are often along for the ride. We fall in love with bright and shiny things of the temporal, someday to burn, variety. We are too easily tossed to and fro; untethered, bound to go far left or right. We begin to fall for the illusion of being in charge of things; momentarily thinking we have things wired; until God brings us to our senses once again and gives a new glimpse of our frailty. Praise God He is so good to us to show us these things. Our propensity to get out of balance shows itself in interesting ways - in culture, politics, relationships, finances - whatever, you name it - we draw our lines in the shifting, sinking sand. As the cultural pendulum swings, sadly all too often, so too goes the bride of Christ. Wasn't it Francis Schaeffer who said that whatever the world is doing today the church will be doing in seven years?

Yes, we go to extremes - most noticeably with regard to the effects of the Fall. People with an extreme sin problem need an extreme cure. Jesus Christ is the only One. The finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross is our only hope - an anchor for the soul - salvation by God's grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ alone is our only hope. Costly, precious, settled, secure. Praise God the blood of Christ cleanses. Setting us free from pendulum swings, our feet planted firmly on the Rock. We still must deal with the issues of life, but we do so from a far more secure vantage point. We are not just along for the ride, hanging on for dear life - merely surviving. We are strangers and aliens, 'just a passing through', on our way to heaven. Praise God His Word is forever settled in heaven, a lamp to our feet, a light to our path - the compass with which we navigate life. The enduring Word keeps us grounded.

Jesus always says it best: "You will know the truth and the truth shall set you free" John 8:32.