“When the world gets better, we’ll have a pool party, and everyone’s invited.”

I can’t leave this alone. This is my granddaughter Jocelyn’s solution to the global pandemic, global recession, racial unrest and rioting and looting going on right now in this country. A pool party. That is just nothing short of brilliant. When I wrote about this on Monday, Paul left a comment which I heartily endorse: “Jocelyn for President!” (I’m Jocelyn’s grandfather and I approve this message.)

“When the world gets better …” What’s that going to take? Well it’s going to take prayer. Prayer for those researching a cure. Prayer for people to be smart and listen to the advice of doctors and those studying this disease. And prayer for God to intervene.

And then it’s going to take a downtick in prejudice on all levels. It’s going to take enough people treating everyone with respect to make a difference in the way people are treated in general. It’s going to take not just grace, but grace turned outward. Come on, everybody. If we can reach our goal to introduce the gospel of welcome — grace turned outward — to everyone everywhere, think of the difference in the way people will be treated in the world.

It’s going to take Jesus in the hearts of enough people to leave vengeance to God and return good for evil. It’s going to take Jesus in the hearts of people to love those who are different. It’s going to take Jesus in the hearts of people to make peace — getting enemies together to listen to each other and seek understanding.

It’s going to take love to make the world better, and love can only come through the Holy Spirit as people realize they are loved by God, unconditionally, and in that love can reach out and spread that love to others.

And finally, it’s going to take enough people standing up for justice to bring the systems of government and society in line with it. Sound impossible? Yes, if we try to do this on our own. But in the power of the Holy Spirit, all is possible. That’s why we look not to government and political systems for change, but to people like you and me who are following Christ and have the Spirit alive in us. For where God is, all things are possible.

Besides, we have that pool party to look forward to when the world gets better. And then it’s everybody in the pool!