Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Mid-Week Message - A Lesson From Tragedy

There was a shooting in Clovis, New Mexico on Monday.  We've seen riots throughout the country. Monuments are being toppled because people have suddenly taken offense at their existence.  A person serving in Congress has said that our President needs to be killed.  Racial tension has ramped up to a level that I haven't seen since I was a child. Our law enforcement officials are being targeted. It seems no one is safe anymore no matter where they are.  

And then, amidst tremendous tragedy, we have Houston and south Texas showing us the way we need to live.  Even though they themselves have lost everything they own, citizens of these areas are out rescuing others without any concern over what race or nationality they are.  Lives are being risked to save lives.  This epic flood, though destructive, is highlighting the value of human life and bringing hope for the future.  As we position ourselves in front of the news to get constant information and as we unite in prayers of protection for the victims, we have a choice. If we can learn from these selfless hearts, pick up the mantel of love and carry this attitude into our own homes and communities, America can be what it once was - a country where we cared for each other above all.  Where individuals help each other rather than expecting a lofty government to decide what we need.  Where skin tone is only a color and plays no role in our ideas about the soul inside.  Where we understand that within each of us beats a heart that feels love, fear and pain and that we share more commonalities than differences.  

The civil war brought great separation, but the north and south came back together.  Families were reunited.  Life returned to a state of living in peace with each other.  Brothers shook hands and put their issues behind them.  That's what needs to be done once more.  We each have our own ideas about life and how this country should be run.  However, we need to remember the common good. Today's actions impact tomorrow and possibly have consequences that will destroy rather than heal. We have to choose what is most important, the welfare of our neighbor, rather than our own preferences.  Respect in the moment helps much more than activism for a future that may never come. Today may be the only day we have to be a blessing.    

May this week in your life see great grace from the Father above.  


1 Peter 3:8-12 ESV 

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

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