My wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed our growing clan of grandchildren. Number 11 and 12 were born last year – Levi Robert Broyles and Rebecca Rose Buffington. It is difficult to explain the love of grandparents for grandkids until you experience it. The Bible is right when it states, “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;…” (Proverbs 17:6, NKJV).
Some have questioned the wisdom of having children in a world so full of evil. My father once preached a sermon that declared that there has never been a good time to have children. He recounted the evil in the days of Noah, the killing of children in the days of Moses, the ravage of war through Israel’s history, and the death of kids in Bethlehem when Jesus was born.
Our world is full of darkness and light all at the same time. God’s beautiful world, created in perfection, has been tainted by sin and subject to evil. We are not guaranteed a trouble-free future. In fact, we are guaranteed trouble. Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NLT).
Peace in a troubled world is found in Jesus. Light in a dark world is reflected through God’s people. I find great hope for my grandkids not because the world is perfect, but because God is sovereign over the world, and He gives great joy even in a world of pain. The greater the darkness of the world, the brighter God’s people shine the light of Christ. Paul declared, “Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people” (Philippians 2:15, NLT).
This is not a time of despair, but of hope, joy, and anticipation. In a world that seems to be unraveling, we know Christ is in control and coming soon. In the face of death, we know heaven is real. In a world of darkness, Jesus has called us to be the light that brings glory to the Father (Matthew 5:16). Your attitude today will be determined by your focus. You can either focus on the darkness of the world or the great love of God. If you focus on the darkness, you will feel it begin to affect your soul. If you focus on Christ and positive things of life, He will use you to brighten up a dark world!
The world has been touched by evil. Thankfully, it is not this world that gives me peace. The future is bright because Christ is alive. Today I will celebrate life and thank God for beautiful grandkids who have a bright future because of Jesus Christ (Psalms 127).