When the Air Force sent me to Saudi Arabia the first time, I lived on the outskirts of Riyadh in a rather bleak housing compound. Our condominiums were much better than barracks or tents, but there was something missing. The simple concrete buildings had little decoration, were surrounded by gravel and pavement, making them seem more like a prison. I soon found out the rest of the country was much like our compound. They had everything their oil-fed fortunes could buy, but I didn’t feel comfortable or optimistic about their future.
Their religion protects their women from being seen so they are hidden in back rooms in restaurants or behind concrete walls at home. When out in public, females are completely covered, even in the extreme heat. They enforce adherence to their religious rules and you might briefly envy the modesty and sense of right and wrong until you hear how they mistreat their workers. Non-Muslims are subjected to especially cruel treatment and have little or no recourse. Even with their strict religious rules, it seems what they are missing is love.
I see a similar problem in the US in some groups who fiercely protect the environment, animals and their right to do as they please, but won’t tolerate other opinions. They oppose our government institutions and military, yet expect protection and want to be given everything for free. They defend animals, but see the killing of unborn babies as their choice. Liberal activists include supporters of repressive religions and regimes, but resist Judeo- Christian values as archaic, intolerant and hateful. They want to open our borders for immigrants from countries where gang violence, murder and intimidation is a way of life. I can tell something is missing in their argument, but of course they will strongly disagree.
What the world needs most is love. The world teaches a very self-centered and selfish love that will never work. For every taker, there must be a giver and that is where most lose interest. They don’t want to give or meet other people’s needs. So-called free-love cost a lot and has caused untold pain when the powerful took what they wanted. Yes, some tried to trade their love, but that exchange hurts everyone. They are missing the kind of love that includes sacrifice, commitment and responsibility, and need loving discipline and direction. They don’t recognize how precious that love is, because they have been blinded by the evil one.
What about the kind of love that gives instead of taking and sacrifices for those who don’t deserve it? What about a love that lays down its life for another? That is the love JESUS is offering you! But how can that be? It is only possible because “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). So what does GOD get out of this? He gets fellowship with you forever and ever! But you say I’m not good enough! You are right, but JESUS makes you good enough. So what did I do to deserve this great gift? You deserve to die for your sins, but JESUS changed that! “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1 KJV). The only thing missing is you!
Wayne Lance (2019)