Love Grown Cold

Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. ~Matthew 24:11-13 NASB


The news has been full of yet another grim story of an innocent person brutally murdered by a fiend. Details are coming out in bits and pieces, but the picture painted is becoming grimmer and grimmer. Meridith Emerson, on a hike with her dog in Vogel State Park near Blairsville, GA on New Years day was evidently abducted by a 61 year old drifter by the name of Gary Hilton. Reports say that he held her captive for 3 days prior to beating her to death and then decapitating her. Her body was discovered six days after she went missing in the Dawson Forest Managment area nearly 50 miles away from Vogel. Hilton is now suspected in two other similar crimes involving three people. This story is troubling as it was not crime in the big city - but in a pristine mountain retreat. It's like there is no place to be free crime or wickedness. The ground is marred by the blood of an innocent girl.

Matthew 24 came to mind today in light of the news about Emerson. I'm not one of those "sit on the roof waiting for Jesus eschatology people", but I do try to see things in light of the fact that this world is indeed winding down to the end of the age and sadly, wickedness is going to wax worse and worse. Love has grown cold. There is no respect for life. There is a coldness and viciousness that is gripping our nation. Police believe that Hilton had Emerson bound and gagged in the back of his van while he stopped to use the phone at a restaurant in Cumming, GA. This isn't general meanness or random wickedness -- this is demonic to the core.

A walk in the park will no longer be a walk in the park - no matter how far removed one is from inner city crime. When Hilton stole Emerson's life, he also stole a slice everyone's peace of mind and a slice of everyone's freedom. We retreat farther and farther behind the deadbolts and security systems of our homes while it seems that evil incarnate has free run of areas both urban and rural.

God is still on His throne and He's still in charge. I don't know exactly where I stand on Calvinism (I think I'll give him maybe 3 1/2 points), but understanding and trusting the sovereignty of God provides stability and hope when the world around you appears to be on the fast track to the abyss.