The recent riots in Europe, the bombings in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the ongoing unrest through-out the Middle East are a disturbing reminder of the uncertain, and often ludicrous, nature of life on planet earth. In one instance a few years religious radicals, who didn’t like Americans, planted truck bombs in front of two American Embassies. The simultaneous explosions murdered over one hundred people and injured five thousand more, including several Americans. But mostly, the radicals killed their own people.

We watch this stuff on television and shake our heads. These acts defy logic, even if we allow for the oft-demented rationale of terrorists. Afghan and Iraqi families are suffering ten times more than anyone else. Not that we’ve been spared. America got the message on September 11, 2001. But the whole world is hearing this message: That lunatics – real hate-filled killers – live among us, brandishing weapons and threatening to sacrifice anyone to further their cause.

One of the greatest values I cherish is that the Christian life, when lived according to Biblical values, is sane and sensible. God’s people, the followers of Jesus, are committed to a reasonable and judicious way of living. The world may be coming unglued, but Christ-followers stay cool, calm and collected.

A lot of Christian organizations use superlative terms in their slogans and promotion materials: radical, extreme, mania, etc. I don’t have a problem with this because, in truth, the Christian norm is often radically different from a lot of other things in the world. The slogans simply champion our commitment. But make no mistake: at the core, we are a sensible and responsible people. We love God, love our families and care for people. When all the world is going crazy and calling for blood, it ought to be the Christians who are living an example of temperance and mercy.

There is a time to preach, of course. Jesus stood before the masses and declared God’s truth. There is a time to “fight” for right. Jesus confronted his enemies and stood His ground. But when the world went crazy on those days surrounding His crucifixion, Jesus showed himself a model of self-control and repose. He quietly and, with the strength of a thousand men, carried out the Father’s will. Our faith today, our way of life, is built upon this example – not only what Jesus accomplished at the cross, but the way He did it!

The world is an uncertain and often tumultuous place. Christian and secular commentators tell us how to respond to current events and future scenarios. Some of the advice is good. Some is reactionary. A lot is really negative. I’m trying to stay informed. I’m making some adjustments in my life. But for the most part, I’m just living the Christian life. People used to ask me how we could work in war-torn Sri Lanka. I simply said, “The large majority of Sri Lankans are trying to live normal lives, despite the war raging around them. We’re just doing the same.” Babies are born and kids go to school, even in the worst of times.

I’m committed to love my wife, love my kids, and keep my house in order. I’m staying out of debt, being a good neighbor, guarding my tongue and my heart, and taking time for physical recreation and spiritual reflection. I’m a giver, a witness for Christ, a lover of God, and I’m trying to be a decent human being.

THAT – not the radical rhetoric – is what really makes the world go ‘round!

Christianity