By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor

The world situation is at a crucial juncture this day. The pot is on the stove, heat turned to high, and boiling water is set to bubble over any minute. It’s a huge waiting game-a volatile, anxious point in time.

Now, more than ever before, we must exhibit our “infinite joy.”

Some might ask how we can celebrate in the midst of such angst and strife.

I ask what better time than now to celebrate our infinite joy?

For our hope lies in the words of Romans 8:38: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

What an appropriate promise for our times.

However, the verse could easily have read, “For I am convinced that neither terrorism nor peace, neither alerts nor calm, neither Saddam Hussein nor George W. Bush, nor any kings, neither invasion nor pacifism, nor anything besides Christ himself, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And for the days after we profess our infinite joy in Sing Song, we will be “Welcoming the Reign of God” at the 85th Annual Bible Lectureship.

Again, what a perfect theme for these uncertain days. After claiming our joy in Christ, we will be inviting God’s reign over our lives and our world. I can think of no better way to combat the evil that exists.

For as Dr. Jack Evans, president of Southwest Christian College, said in Chapel Wednesday, God’s “weapon of mass destruction” is love.

So think not of the 2003 Sing Song and Lectureship themes as simple clichŽs or catchy topics; view them as invitations to join the spiritual battle that accompanies the war in today’s world.

Visitors, fuel up your souls while you are here. Natives, take advantage of every spiritual opportunity over the next few days.

After all, our spiritual warheads are more powerful than the world’s.