Just a few words. In regard to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, media references to Johnson, Biden, Zelenskyy, and Putin occur daily, so much so that German Chancellor Scholz’s “zeitenwende” remark – a turning point in history – seems to be highly appropriate.
Uncertainty and change are times of incredible opportunity.
Our changing circumstances, both at work and at home, and the opportunities they present, demonstrate how God is continuing to motivate us to keep the gospel relevant, powerful, and effective. Having just recovered from the onslaught of a pandemic, we are now facing the perilous specter of war across Europe, maybe the entire world.
Since the Spring of this year, more than 3,000,000 Ukrainians, including many Christians, have fled their country; the “zeitenwende” seems to be a prophetic indicator for what is happening, not just for them, but for all of us.
Opportunity
Our greatest zeitenwende as Christians is the Cross. Through the death of Jesus on the cross, God reached out to his creation as a turning point in history by reconciling us to himself. Those events were needed in order to punish sin, to remove guilt, and to demean and remove shame. All the shame is removed, not only that, such grace not only offers, but imputes holiness – we are made holy. That speaks of full access to God with no sheepishness or timidity, enjoying all the priveleges of belonging to, and being acceptable to Him. We are His, and He is ours.
Moments in time like these offer hope, freedom, and even reward; but there are those who turn down that hope, which is based simply on trust in what has been done for them by Jesus. Grace is available to all. The outrageous news is that this free gift, undeserved and unmerited is given freely.
Salvation is not for sale – you cannot earn it, but you can have it – free.
The unbeliever can turn to God for forgiveness of sin and begin their own zeitenwende, their own new life. This has all the overtures of John 3:16 because, essentially, that is what zeitenwende is all about.
The grim news is that we are now in “die zeitenwende” across Europe as the green light of war is flickering. We need to pray for God’s urgent intervention, may God grant this to be resolved quickly and peacefully.
You’ll hopefully agree with me that in this restless world, the only way to find peace in the heart is to have faith in God’s word which does not change, falter or shake. You and I can trust what God says to us, encouraging each other that God is watching over us, and is for us.
What is your zeitenwende (your turning point in history)?
Is this it?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in
him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned
already because they have not believed in the name of
God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18
