Chaos in Cairo and Mayhem in Madison: Sleep with Your Shoes on!

As I write this today, anarchy stretches its arms across the globe. The citizen uprising in Tunisia last month sparked a fire of discontent in Egypt resulting in the collapse of Hosni Mubarak's government. And now the feared domino effect. But not only in the Middle East. An uprising in China yesterday was quickly put down by local police. And though tame by comparison, the protests in Madison, Wisconsin have surfaced a rebellious American spirit against perceived unfairness, inequity, and injustice—no less real than Egypt’s citizen revolt against tyranny.

Then, a news report came across TV that Christchurch, New Zealand had been hit by a 6.3 earthquake, destroying buildings, infrastructure, and yet unknown numbers of lives. What on earth is happening? I don’t know. But this I do know: even as the kingdoms of this world are being severely shaken (by the hand of men or God) we hold fast to the promise that God has given us a kingdom that is eternal and indestructible (Luke 12): a kingdom of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Ro. 14:7).

But whatever is happening shouldn't surprise us. Jesus spoke of internal anarchies: “a kingdom at war with itself will collapse; a home divided against itself is doomed” (Mar 3:24-25). And Jesus addressed the general deterioration of the world by warning that “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes” (Matt 24:7). And He also warned: “Be dressed for service and well prepared, as though you were waiting for your master to return” (Luke 12:35-36 NLT). In other words, sleep with your shoes on.