An explanation for the degradation in society

     Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made. So those people have no excuse at all! They know God, but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness. They say they are wise, but they are fools; instead of worshiping the immortal God, they worship images made to look like mortals or birds or animals or reptiles.

     And so God has given those people over to do the filthy things their hearts desire, and they do shameful things with each other. They exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever! Amen.

     Because they do this, God has given them over to shameful passions. Even the women pervert the natural use of their sex by unnatural acts. In the same way the men give up natural sexual relations with women and burn with passion for each other. Men do shameful things with each other, and as a result they bring upon themselves the punishment they deserve for their wrongdoing.

     Because those people refuse to keep in mind the true knowledge about God, he has given them over to corrupted minds, so that they do the things that they should not do. They are filled with all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and vice; they are full of jealousy, murder, fighting, deceit, and malice. They gossip and speak evil of one another; they are hateful to God, insolent, proud, and boastful; they think of more ways to do evil; they disobey their parents; they have no conscience; they do not keep their promises, and they show no kindness or pity for others. They know that God's law says that people who live in this way deserve death. Yet, not only do they continue to do these very things, but they even approve of others who do them.

       Does this sound familiar?  It seems to precisely describe our world today, don't you think? The  passage is from Romans 1:20-32 (Good News Translation).  As I was reading it today, I was struck by how it describes much of life in America.  How we need to repent!  It has always been such a puzzle to me why we would want to go our own way when God's ways are so much higher and greater than ours.  Is it because we want to be in control no matter what the consequences?  Have we just not understood and believed how much He loves us?  Why do we not turn to Him?  What will cause us to recognize our need for Him?
     I have found life is so much more exciting and adventurous when I daily surrender my life to Him to use in any way He sees fit.  I then trust & believe He is leading me and guiding me.  Each day becomes an adventure of meeting new people He brings into my life, new experiences I wouldn't have otherwise had, new opportunities to go places I've never been and do things I've never done.  I call those divine appointments.  I believe God has so much more for us than we could ever imagine.  He is patiently waiting for us to wake up to the fact that we can ask Him to be Lord of our lives.  He wants so much to lavish us with His blessings.  What are we waiting for?  Why do we need uncontrollable circumstances and catastrophes to cause us to turn to Him?  I choose Him now.  Won't you?