God Ain't Dead

HANGING IN AN ART GALLERY YOU FIND A PICTURE THAT SUMMARIZES THIS MESSAGE SO WELL. FRAMED THERE YOU SEE A MOUNTAIN SCENE OF GREAT PEACE AND TRANQUILITY, BUT THE STILLNESS OF NATURE IS ABRUPTLY CONTRASTED TO A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY, FOR IN THE CLEARING IS WHAT USED TO BE A LOG CABIN. ONLY NOW ALL THAT REMAINS IS A BRICK CHIMNEY. BLACKENED RUINS STILL SMOLDER REVEALING THE FIRE THAT OCCURRED THE NIGHT BEFORE. TWO FIGURES ARE PICTURED VIEWING THIS TRAGIC SCENE. AN OLDER MAN OBVIOUSLY A GRANDFATHER STANDS THERE IN HIS NIGHT CLOTHES WITH HIS ARM AROUND A BOY. THE BOY STANDS THERE CLUTCHING A PATCHED PAIR OF OVERALLS, OBVIOUSLY THE ONLY OF HIS POSSESSIONS SPARED BY THE HEARTLESS FLAMES. BIG TEARS ARE ROLLING DOWN HIS CHEEKS AND DEVASTATION IS WRITTEN ALL OVER HIS FACE. THE CAPTION OF THE PAINTING CAPTURES THE COMFORT THE GRANDFATHER IS BRINGING TO THAT DEVASTATED LITTLE BOY. IT READS: “HUSH CHILD! GOD AIN’T DEAD!”

SOME OF US HAVE BEEN LIVING AS IF THAT PICTURE WERE A LIE! WE’VE BEEN LIVING AS IF GOD IS DEAD, BECAUSE OUR TROUBLE HAS MADE IT SEEM TO US AS IF HE IS. BUT TODAY, IN FRONT OF YOU STANDS THE LIVING CHRIST. HE OPENS HIS ARMS AND HE WANTS TO PULL YOU INTO HIS CHEST AND WHISPER IN YOUR EAR, “HUSH CHILD! I’M NOT DEAD!” I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU. I’M IN CONTROL AND MY SOVEREIGNTY IS YOUR GUARANTEE THAT I WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU. MY PLANS ARE INSPIRED BY MY GOODNESS. I WILL GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE. HUSH CHILD! I’M NOT DEAD. WILL YOU BOW YOUR HEADS.