‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive… but blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.’ Matthew 13:14-16
Do we truly see? Do we truly hear? Or do we see and hear only what we want?
When you saw the images of today’s horrible terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, what did you see? Did you see an inevitable clash between the West and Islam? When you heard the news on the radio, did you hear of an inevitable conflict between two mutually exclusive cultures and world-views?
I didn’t. I saw satan stoking the fires of hatred, fear and murder. I saw sin crouching at the door calling for revenge. I saw people being deceived by the lure of earthly power and violence.
Let’s not be deceived. The real battle is not between men but in the heavenly places, with the forces of darkness that seek to divide and destroy us. Let’s not forget what we are striving for, namely the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to come and rule in our hearts and minds; for God’s perfect love to come and cast out all fear and evil. Let’s redouble our efforts to pray and work for the peace and prosperity of the city and people He has called us to.