I was living on Cape Cod the day of the Boston Marathon bombing. The Cape is roughly 50 miles from the location of the bombing. We were removed from the chaos of the streets of Boston, yet there was a very passionate response to figure out the problem, solve it, and stay safe! The city and area came together!
Today, I am 1,000 plus miles away from the city of Baltimore, MD. Yet I watch with a broken heart as I see so many people from all walks of life and all nationalities and backgrounds, not unify – but come together in desperate irrational thinking – literally causing a beautiful city to implode on itself with hate, anger, and rage!
With absolutely no disrespect to anyone who lost their life or to any family member that suffered the loss of a loved one, I am moved by the spiritual implications that I see in these 2 historical events of our nation in recent times. A picture of unity and teamwork, and a picture of discord and violence that seems unwarranted! I see this all too often play out in families, churches, businesses, teams––on and on the list goes. When we are attacked, we unify. When we suffer loss or trauma, we attack. It seems like we have forgotten the powerful words of scripture, regardless the scenario – found in Eccl. 4…
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Together we are better! Together we are stronger! Together we are warmer! Together we stand!
Our nation is in perilous times. The rule of law is being challenged in social issues, military situations, cultural boundaries; and for sure when we read the scriptures, we find that the words of prophets are coming true at an alarming rate. Spiritually our nation is being attacked, people are falling away from truth, and families are being uprooted and destroyed!
Even in this though, there is hope! Hope’s name is JESUS!
Jesus said, in John 3:16, “Whosoever would believe in me would not die, but have everlasting life!”
And…
John 10:10, “the thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
Remember that I wrote earlier…
Together we are better! Together we are stronger! Together we are warmer! Together we stand!
Well…Romans 5:6-11…When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Together Jesus and you are better than you alone! Together Jesus and you are have a strength that you have never had before. Together, Jesus and you will stand together FOREVER!
TOGETHER! TOGETHER – We Can! TOGETHER – You Can!