
A Statement on Recent Events
My heart is broken and my thoughts horrified at the images that have filled every screen I own. I have watched a man pleading for mercy and a person with the power of life and death ignore those cries. I have pleaded with God to not allow my heart or words to turn to rage. I really do believe the wisdom of James 1:20, “For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” My anger may make me feel powerful, but power should not to be used to make me feel strong, rather to actually help others.
As I try to quiet my thoughts I keep being reminded of a prophetic word found in Micah 6:8. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
- I can pray for justice. I can do justice. I know that has to be more than a post on social media.
- I can love kindness. There are those who are afraid and hurting. I want to show kindness to them. I must also show kindness to those who are horrified by the darkness of their own heart and desire to change.
- I want to walk humbly with God. It is easy for me to take myself too seriously and not take God seriously enough. My words about a situation will not have near the impact that intercession could have.
The heart issues being revealed on our screens and in our streets will not be fixed by politics or by anger. Both of those options have proven unequal to the task. My own heart has only been transformed with a spiritual combination of grace and truth. One without the other seems to either make me worse or the world around me worse.
Would you join me in prayer:
- That God would not just quell violence (on either side of a protest line), but that He would breathe a spirit of reconciliation into our nation.
- That those who are hurting will experience healing and those who are afraid, peace.
- That those given the sacred responsibility of protecting us will act with wisdom and discernment.
- That those who lead our communities will plead for mercy from the One who never turns a deaf ear and always gives it.
Pastor Bob
Lead Pastor