Christian Little liked to read the paper. He liked knowing what was going on. In November 2012, he read that his state legalized marijuana. He wondered if the sky was falling.
Christian Little liked to listen to talk radio. He liked knowing what was going on. In June 2015, he heard the United States Supreme Court declared same-sex unions a constitutional right. He thought the sky might be falling.
Christian Little liked to go on social media. He liked knowing what was going on. In July 2015, he saw a video of Planned Parenthood selling baby parts. He was becoming convinced the sky was falling.
Christian Little liked watching the news at night. He liked knowing what was going on. In December 2015, he saw that his state declared it lawful, based on feeling not on anatomy, to use whatever locker room or bathroom one wanted. He was pretty sure the sky was falling.
Christian Little liked to be civically minded. He liked knowing what was going on. In November 2016, he entered the voting booth to vote for president. He saw that it was Trump vs. Clinton. He was sure the sky was falling.
Christian Little couldn’t sleep. Christian Little was worried for his kids and grandkids. What would the country be like when they were grown? The values, morality, and political landscape were depressing. He didn’t know what it would be like when the sky fell. He just knew it was.
Discouraged and depressed, he did something he hadn’t done for a while; Christian Little took out the Book. First, he stumbled across two Proverbs: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (Prov. 16:33) and “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will” (Prov. 21:1). He wasn’t completely sure what that meant but his faith steadied.
Then he came across two verses in the Psalms: “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases” (Ps. 115:3) and “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and on earth…” (Ps. 135:6). It was becoming clearer for Christian Little. But the verse that put the sun, moon, and clouds securely in the sky was this, that God “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11).
Maybe the sun was setting on his beloved nation. Maybe it was coming to an end or perhaps it was just a temporary valley. Regardless, Christian Little was reminded his God was still on the Throne. He knew then that if the sky ever fell, it would do so only at His command.
Christian Little decided then and there the paper, talk radio, social media, evening news, and politics would take a back seat to the Book. He still liked knowing what was going on; that wasn’t going to stop. But, what would end were the fret and the worry. There was another verse from the Psalms that would help him with that, “To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!” (Ps. 123:1).
Pastor Rich Hamlin
March 2, 2016
Just loved it….We all stand guilty before the throne of God
Great story Rich. I think you are onto something with this character “Christian Little.” When I was in Bible School my first year I served at Midway Christian Church. Many people found that an amusing name (it was just an area).
Thank you again for the encouragement from God’s Word.
“By living as strangers and pilgrims, we let go of unrealistic expectations. While traveling, we understand that we most likely will be uncomfortably situated, jostled out of place, and may look worn around the edges. Yet deep within our souls, we rest content. We are on our way home. Just thinking about the sights, smells and joys of home fills our heart with delight…By the Spirit’s work, we can walk this journey with joy …What the world is unable to provide, Christ freely gives” December Table Talk
Amen! When I begin to “worry”, I remember that my God is in control, and that HE will take care of me and my loved ones no matter what.
My Mother has a phrase she uses when I become bothered as did Christian Little: she looks at me squarely, and says, “Nancy, what do you expect of people when they do not know the Lord?” Those of us who do know the Lord, can indeed rest on the fact that He does not need to read or watch the news to know exactly what is going on in this world which He controls down to the numbering of the hairs on our heads.