Living in an Upside-Down World (And Learning to Breathe Through It)

Have you ever sat down with your coffee in the morning, looked around at the state of things in this world, and thought… “What in the world is going on?” Yeah, me too.

Lately, there are days when I feel like the world has flipped on its head. What used to be considered right is now offensive, and what once made sense… well, doesn’t anymore.

And I’m not talking about the little changes like fashion trends or slang words, I can’t keep up with that. I’m talking about deeper shifts. Moral ones. Spiritual ones. The kind that makes your heart ache a little, or a lot.

I grew up in the wide-open prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada. Farm life. Simplicity. We didn’t have much, but we had what mattered. My parents weren’t overly religious, but they raised us with Godly values, honesty, hard work, and responsibility.

If we messed up, Mom would let us know really quickly (and trust me, she had that look or showed that shoe, that said everything without a single word). But even in correction, there was unconditional love. There was order. There was a sense of right and wrong.

But then… I left the farm. Enter: the world. And oh boy, did I get a wake-up call.

Suddenly, everything I thought was normal wasn’t. Values were different. Truth was, well, flexible. People were more about “me” than “we.” And it was disorienting. Like trying to find your way in a funhouse mirror maze. Except this wasn’t fun. It was confusing. Painful, even.

Now fast-forward to today. I wish I could say things got better, but let’s be real. In many ways, it feels like the world has flipped completely upside down.

I’m not just talking about the wild, crazy news or the crazy stuff trending online (though those could fill a book). I’m talking about a deeper cultural shift.

Simply, a turning away from God, from truth, from His amazing grace.

We used to gather on Sundays, didn’t we? Whole families, grandparents, parents, and kids, going to picnics and church, singing off-key together, and sharing potlucks where someone always brought Jell-O salad.

Now, churches sit half-empty while sports stadiums are packed, and Sundays become more about touchdowns and McDavid than truth.

Please hear me, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with enjoying a good hockey or football game or relaxing on the weekend. I’ve yelled at the TV more than once during a hockey or football game. But when we start replacing God with entertainment, comfort, or money, when those things become our refuge, it’s like building a house on sand. And sooner or later, trust me, that foundation cracks.

It’s not just sports, either. We’ve built modern-day altars all over the place: shopping malls, social media, success, and status. We worship celebrities, influencers, and even our own reflection in the mirror.

Paul wasn’t kidding when he said people would be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. It’s like we’ve traded something sacred for something shiny. And shiny things? They lose their sparkle really fast.

Sometimes I wonder, how did we get here? And more importantly… where do we go from here?

Here’s the thing, friend. I don’t have all the answers. I’m just an old man who’s seen a few decades of life and probably a few more grey hairs than I care to count. But I do know this: God hasn’t changed. Not one bit.

While the world turns inside out and upside down, God remains steady. His love hasn’t wavered. His truth hasn’t shifted with public opinion. And His grace? Still flowing, still free.

And maybe that’s what keeps me going. That’s what steadies my feet in a shaky world. Knowing that no matter how upside-down things seem, I can still choose to live right-side up.

I can choose love. I can choose grace. I can choose to hold fast to truth, not with clenched fists, but with open hands and a soft heart.

I’ve learned that the goal isn’t to shout louder than the world, but to love deeper. To reflect Jesus, not just preach Him. To show people what a right-side-up life looks like by how I live, not just what I say.

Is it easy? Nope. Not at all. Some days I feel like I’m swimming upstream with a broken paddle. But even in the mess, I’ve found beauty. I’ve found hope. And I’ve found people, like you, who are also choosing to live differently, to love deeply, and to cling to God’s goodness no matter what.

So, if you’re feeling the weight of this upside-down world today, let me just say, you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy for noticing the shift.

Keep your heart anchored. Keep your eyes on Jesus. And remember, you were made for more than this world could ever offer.

And you belong to Him!

Let’s keep walking this journey together, friend. Let’s be light in the dark.

Let’s be steady in the storm.

And let’s never stop living, loving, and trusting like our Father God’s still on the throne, because trust me He is.

And also remember your redemption draws near!

Pastor Rox