"... do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" Phil. 2:4
Listen to: Israel Houghton & New Tribe: "Love Revolution" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PycBIqjZSjw
What a painful week we have had, on top of ongoing, unremitting conflict in our nation. Pipe bombs. Praying worshipers murdered in their holy sanctuary. Countless hate crimes, attacks, even teenage girls hatching plans to slash younger students.
What are we to do? Bury our heads and ignore the pain. Or do as Jesus calls, to practice patience and forbearance To love more sacrificially. To reinvest our energies, especially where people are hurting in the world. Our leaders may fail us, but God is our eternal Sovereign. We carry God's standard: so we must be the salt and leaven of our communities. We bring God's order: so we must listen to those who don't have a voice. We must see those made invisible by injustice and sin. We must touch those who are angry, fearful and forsaken.
Today is a new day and there is much ministry to do. There are devastated communities we can help repair. There are hearts that need mending. There are needs out there that fit the longing of our own hearts. If our communities are to be restored, we must model giving and service. We discover, in the process, our own spirits are touched and healed.
This is a great, spiritual truth: as we focus on and meet the needs of our neighbor, we in turn find peace and a balm for our souls. Giving is key to our spiritual maturity. For as St. Francis said, "in giving we receive." Let us carry Jesus' words as go forth this day:
"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you" Luke 6:38
Listen to: Israel Houghton & New Tribe: "Love Revolution" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PycBIqjZSjw
What a painful week we have had, on top of ongoing, unremitting conflict in our nation. Pipe bombs. Praying worshipers murdered in their holy sanctuary. Countless hate crimes, attacks, even teenage girls hatching plans to slash younger students.
What are we to do? Bury our heads and ignore the pain. Or do as Jesus calls, to practice patience and forbearance To love more sacrificially. To reinvest our energies, especially where people are hurting in the world. Our leaders may fail us, but God is our eternal Sovereign. We carry God's standard: so we must be the salt and leaven of our communities. We bring God's order: so we must listen to those who don't have a voice. We must see those made invisible by injustice and sin. We must touch those who are angry, fearful and forsaken.
Today is a new day and there is much ministry to do. There are devastated communities we can help repair. There are hearts that need mending. There are needs out there that fit the longing of our own hearts. If our communities are to be restored, we must model giving and service. We discover, in the process, our own spirits are touched and healed.
This is a great, spiritual truth: as we focus on and meet the needs of our neighbor, we in turn find peace and a balm for our souls. Giving is key to our spiritual maturity. For as St. Francis said, "in giving we receive." Let us carry Jesus' words as go forth this day:
"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you" Luke 6:38
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