We live in tumultuous times. People are anxious, as if waiting for the next big quake or another horrific scandal. Individuals outside of actual conflict zones still experience significant stress and limited peace. Like untethered vessels that rock back and forth and capsize in stormy weather, people are fearful in the absence of stability and support.

Many lost people were exposed to the good news of Jesus by their family and friends but choose the things of the world over eternal life with God. This is partially explained by the popular enticing lies of false teachers, but these are easily exposed if checked against the Bible.

Wise innocent Christians anchored in Christ know who and what to trust because little of the world is worthy of their trust. God is their ever-present comfort, the source of their stability, and whom they worship. God’s Word strengthens and encourages them as they read, study, and inwardly digest it.

We may communicate directly with God through Jesus because this is what the Bible teaches us. Jesus not only saves and redeems us, but He mediates on our behalf to God for us. We have no fear when we know the Father through the Son and the Holy Spirit is our constant companion who and guides us in our faith.

When people trust other people and the news instead of God, they can be easily duped into false beliefs and sin. We see this everywhere as people align with others who claim to be Christian, yet who revise the Bible to reflect their values and the idols that they follow. These do not follow Christ and are dangerous because they lead the undiscerning into evil.

The world is extremely hazardous for children and young adults because the devil roams about seeking their souls. Past generations did not have social media, and hence, they did not worry about pictures and videos that are forever remembered. They did not have to fear that their past mistakes could return to haunt them through blackmail or sextortion. Unfortunately, youth today must. The trauma caused by such crimes inflicts untold pain and suffering on victims and their families as the numbers who attempt and commit suicide through this evil continue to rise.

Wise parents and grandparents pray to God for their children’s and grandchildren’s salvation and safety. They will also offer their wisdom although it may be rejected. True Christ followers are not concerned with being famous, followed, or drawing big crowds. On the contrary, faithful Christians know what the Bible says, live by it, and are convicted to share it.

God is concerned with every single person’s soul. All of heaven rejoices with the salvation of one person. The prophet Jeremiah had only one follower, his secretary, Baruck. Jesus, Himself, drew huge crowds at the beginning but when the people turned against him His followers scattered in fear. Only the apostle John, Jesus’s mother, Mary, and several other women were at the cross when Jesus died and was taken down to be entombed.

Drawing crowds may be illustrious but what the people are being drawn to is more important. Examples of infamous so-called Christians who drew huge crowds in gigantic auditoriums, and who fell from grace, should show how it is sincerity and truth that matters to God, not easy salvation, money, or fame.

Sincere and true Christians will see God and heaven. One often overlooked Christian artist, Glen Leyte, sings Don’t Trade Heaven (written by Bill Foss) on his album with the same name. This poignant ballad describes the plight of doublemindedness which can be lethal.

The ballad describes a young man who rejected God even though he had heard the gospel and had a mother who had fervently prayed for him. When he died, the man regretted rejecting God, but it was too late to take back what he had done. This story is reminiscent of the story of the rich man who rejected God and the beggar at his gate, Lazurus (Luke 16:19–31). The chorus goes like this:
“I would run to the altar and gladly give my life,
To the one who died to save me, so freely gave his life,
But I chose to live my own way, if anyone can hear,
Please don’t trade heaven for a few short years.”
Released June 1, 1997, by 1597595 Records DK

“Please don’t trade heaven for a few short years,” is good advice for any person, but especially for those who are wandering away from God. There are multitudes who chose a brief earthly life over eternity in heaven in all levels of society, in churches, as well as in prisons. It will be too late for them to change their minds when they die. All that we retain upon death is in our spirits.

Christian songs like this one can be a wake-up call to anyone who listens. It may cause them to ponder their personal situation regarding their lives and their relationship with God. So, whether Glenn Leyte had few followers or many, what really matters is those that do accept God through Christ because of what he said or did. Only God knows such things. And only Jesus will judge.

In our evil degenerate world, few have the fortitude to brave the hatred and ridicule of the masses to stand with God on the truth of His Word. While those who accept salvation through Christ’s blood believe what is right, not all of them have the wisdom and discernment to stand for the truth. God is, however, building His kingdom on earth to fight the enemy’s wickedness.

And, so, as witnesses to all that is happening in our day, Christians must say what God leads them to say and live in the manner He leads them to live so that they exist through Him and anticipate a heaven free from the storms and evil of earthly life today.