Love What is Right

In light of the recent tragedies all over our country, I asked the Montgomery Baptist Association Director of Missions, Ken May, to write a response for our prayer page this week. 

 

 

From Director of Missions, Ken May  

 

The shocking shootings of the past weeks have left most of us in a state of confusion, anxiety, or even anger. What is a follower of Jesus supposed to do? The simple answer is to do what Jesus would do, but the real challenge is to discern with a humble spirit what that course of action would be. I am confident that Jesus is calling me to express sorrow over the lives that have been lost and to express sympathy and concern for those who are hurting. I also know that I am commended by scripture to “speak the truth in love”, but the problem is there are so many “versions” of the truth being espoused by all kinds of people on social media, insistent that their “version” is the truth, even if it is just copied from someone else’s site without research or reflection.

My understanding of the movement “Black Lives Matter” is one of concern that the lives of blacks do not seem to count as much as the lives of whites. Of course, in God’s eyes, all are precious in His sight.

Some who shout “All Lives Matter” do so in rejection of “Black Lives Matter” and some do so to complement BLM, with a view that black lives matter because all lives matter.

While it is easy in reaction to these tragedies to retreat in our own conclaves and try to shout down the other side, this stance is neither productive nor is it Christ honoring. The tragedies of the past days call us out of our shells and into relationships with those whose skin color or lifestyle may differ from mine. They call us to support the many outstanding individuals in blue who protect our lives. These events call us to cry out for justice for those who have been deprived of life without due process of law, and to build an environment where people do not fear another because of skin color or color of uniform.

It’s up to you and me to begin constructing that environment by our own actions and by continually praying to that end.

Philippians 4:8-9

"Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is just,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence,

if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you".

PRAYER POINTS

This week, let's pray for ourselves....that WE, who are followers of Christ, would be reflections of Christ to all people.

Pray that as we live our daily lives, that we would be sensitive to the scars and wounds of the past and that we would be " the soothing oil of peace and refreshment" to all we meet.