Life in the city is so bad
that loving mothers
have boiled
and eaten their own children.
Lamentations 4:10 (CEV)
The fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians was the most heartbreaking moment in the history of the Israelite nation.
Lamentations 4:10 illustrates the tragedy with a disturbing picture. Mothers are eating their own children.
And it is this verse that scares me about God’s people today.
We are doing the same thing.
Now if you’re reading this to your kids, tell them not to run off and hide. They are not in danger. Assure them that you are not going to eat them. You love them too much, and they probably wouldn’t taste very good.
We are eating each other. Not literally, but figuratively.
Go online and see how Christians are treating each other.
See how we are speaking to each other.
We are giving the world the worst versions of ourselves, and losing credibility.
And in Jerusalem’s case, this was the sign of the end.
What does our recent behavior, in the name of God, mean for us? What does it mean for our future? Are we at the end? Are we on the verge of destruction?
If we are, guess what? It’s our fault. We did this to ourselves.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can still salvage the situation. And it is going to take all of us. Here is what you need to do:
When you want to post something negative, don’t.
When you want to share a conspiracy theory, don’t.
When you want to prove your friend wrong, don’t.
Instead…
When you have the chance to be kind, do that.
When you have the chance to love, do that.
When you have the chance to lift up Jesus, do that.
And if we all do our part, lives will be saved, and instead of eating each other, we will feast on the bread of life.
Let me know how you are spreading positivity in your community by writing me at milton@ktsy.org.
If you would like to hear more on this topic, click on the link below to listen to Chaplain Milton’s message entitled, “Embrace the Tears: Nothing’s Changed?”
Photo by Alex Green from Pexels
