04/21/2026
Living for Christ in Our Times
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. ”So do I”, said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” (J.R.R. Tolkien)
“So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Eph. 5:15-17) Joan Gurtler FB post
If you’re not familiar with the book, The Lord of the Rings, the “time” discussed here was a dark time, a very dark time. It looked as if the evil powers “must” overpower the good forces. In the last battle the king told his soldiers, “We are overpowered and we will die, but let us give our best to the battle before we are killed.” (Not an exact quote, but the gist of it). In spite of all the sources of evil, right eventually prevailed completely.
Brethren, we live in an evil world today—often it seems that evil “must” prevail. It’s easy to throw up our hands and say, “What can we/I do? Nobody wants to listen to the Bible.” Others may say, “We just have to remain faithful to the end. We’re all old and dwindling in numbers, but we’ll keep the doors open as long as we can.” Is this mindset in agreement with God’s Word and God’s plans? Is the devil really stronger than the great “I Am”?
We all know that God is All Powerful—Strong enough to send the devil, all his angels and unrighteous people to eternal torment. Why then do we think our Lord will allow evil to prevail? In Luke 13:23-24 it says, “And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” It has always been so: Only 8 people were saved from the flood; only three were saved from the fire and brimstone God rained down on S***m and Gomorrah, cities of over an estimated 400,000 inhabitants. Phil. 2:14-15 reminds us to, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”
Yes, we live in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation but we cannot give up. It is disheartening to talk to people about the truth when almost all will either, 1) Ignore the truth, 2) reject the truth, or 3) distort the truth to agree with their own desires. Few are interested in knowing God’s will. But there has always been a remnant; a small group that follow God, no matter what it costs them.
Not long ago I was talking with some brethren about this subject. We shared how difficult it is to reach others with the gospel. But then we began to remember a man who came, just seeking to know God and to be saved. Then there was the couple and a woman, also wanting to learn more. Yes, this was over a period of fourteen or fifteen years, but what did Jesus say, “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few that find it.” (Matt. 7:14) Few will find the truth, but some will. We are sowing the seed when and where we can. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write, “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Gal. 6:9).
We do not like to live in “our times”, as other Christians did not like to either. But, as Tolkien sagely wrote, “But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” What are you doing with the time that God has given you? Thank you, Sister Joan, for an excellent reminder.
Tol Burk
