Yesterday was a difficult day for our nation.
The U.S. Capitol, the most recognized symbol of our republic, became a casualty of our divisions, our fears, and our very worst impulses as a people. We mourn the loss of life, the damage to our national reputation, and the message this civil unrest sends to generations of Americans and people around the world.
May God help us and heal us.
Today we look to a better future. One that will require forgiveness, courage, and hope. One that will require a willingness to walk across the aisle and across the street. One that must begin with a true desire to create a better community and country for all.
This won’t be easy, and it will not be quick.
But it’s possible if we look to God. It’s possible if we do our part to become more and more the people He is calling us to be. We are to be people who love those who don’t love us back, who pray for those who persecute us, and who go the extra mile to make the world a better place.
As we rightly grieve for our nation today, let’s remember that there is hope. And let’s remember we’re called and equipped to be agents of that hope. We are ambassadors for Christ and ministers of reconciliation.
Praying with you for our nation, our leaders, and God’s church,
Pastor Rob
You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
(Matthew 5:43-48, The Message)
In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.
Photo by Andy Feliciotti on Unsplash.
