Kenya is a dangerous place-and I am there! Especially Nairobi, where the “bomb of the week” goes kaboom.
Just yesterday in the heart of city center, a terrorist bomb killed 10 innocent shoppers in a market. Next, a “matatu” (a van used as a taxi) was exploded killing even more innocent folks. What madness, what darkness can cause such an act of brutality and wanton murder? We live in a world gone insane. Mankind’s inhumanity to man is not a side bar to the news these days- it is the news! We are living in the prophetic “wars and rumors of wars” of which Christ foretold.
Kenya is under attack by Somali radical Muslims, called ” El Shabab” who actually live in Nairobi. They say they are linked to other worldwide radical terrorists- who knows if that is true? What I know to be true is that we humans can be both the best there is and the worst there is. While I have been here, I have seen both our goodness and our badness. I have witnessed the light in our souls and the utter darkness. Those among us who tell us we humans are ever evolving upward and onward toward becoming gods, have very poor evidence to support their claim.
That is unless the god we are becoming is Lucifer, the prince of darkness!
Years ago I had a preacher friend who used to say, ” Barry, why are you continually shocked by bad human behavior? I keep telling you people are no damn good- that’s why we need a Savior!” He was correct. Without the redeeming Grace of Christ in us, we humans are on a course of self destruction.
I digress from my thoughts of the bombings here in Nairobi. A friend wrote me an email today entitled, “Don’t Get Bombed.” Thanks for the encouragement! My response to that can help all of us live in a dangerous world. Whether you are living in a war torn place like Syria, Cairo, Libya, Nairobi, or an inner city in America, we are all “at risk” every day. I personally have committed my life to Him who determines my destiny. He knows my name, he both loves me and watches over me. He has told me to fear not what man can do to me, but rather to reverence Him (God our Father) who has the power over life and death.
So, “Don’t Get Bombed” is not even on my radar screen. We, who know Christ, should be wise as serpents, knowing the power of evil, but at the same time live boldly, love fiercely, and walk confidently in the “Shadow of the Almighty” (Psalms 91). That is my banner under which I enter the lion’s mouth today here in city center Nairobi.
Be blessed, be light in the darkness! He is able!
Barry
