An Age of Innocence?

“Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.”
Psalm 20-6-8

It had been a very difficult week in the world - the Boston Marathon bombing, a factory explosion in Texas, poison in the mail for elected officials major earthquakes in Pakistan and China, North Korea’s finger on a missile trigger and plenty of acts of random violence. All of this had some asking what do we teach our children? All of this had some longing for a bygone age of innocence. As I thought about these things I began to wonder how long ago had that age of innocence really existed. The thought that came to my mind is the only real age of innocence was in the Garden of Eden - when everything was still perfect. 

We try to protect our children from all the bad in the world, but I wonder how aware they really are. I wonder if there were children present at the crucifixion of Jesus. I wonder how many other crucifixions they had watched. I remember hearing grown- ups talk when they thought little ears weren’t paying attention. I remember listening to the news on the radio as the story of a bus load of children who had been kidnapped were found buried in a storage container not far from where I was. Yes we try to protect the children, but today it is hard to find a place to get away from the bad in the world. 

So what are we to do? We teach them to trust in the Lord always and in every situation. We teach them that bad things happen but they need not be afraid. We can teach them to respond with compassion and grace. So what are we to do? We are to remind ourselves that we trust in the Lord always and in every situation. We remind ourselves that we live in a fallen world surrounded by fallen humans, so bad things are going to happen, even to us sometimes. We remind ourselves that because we trust in the Lord we must respond with compassion and grace. 

Yes, to find the age of innocence we have to go back to Eden. Some day Jesus will be back and for those who have trusted in Him a new age of innocence will begin. 

A Prayer
Father, help us to trust in you so that in the midst of this fallen world we can stand firm. Help us to trust in you so that we can be strong and courageous. Remind us that you have never promised and easy road - but you have promised to be faithful, never leaving or forsaking us. Thank you for the promise of your Son’s return - a return that will signal the return of the age of innocence. In the name of Jesus, Amen.