This is our B moment. Our moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.
Scripture reference: 1 John 3:18
This morning I am thinking about the need to rise above fear and hatred. Specifically, today’s message is to honor the lives lost in Orlando, Florida this past weekend. This horrific event has been noted as the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
Prior to preparing my message, I wanted to know the number of days that it has been since I recorded a similar message. My last message of this nature was to address the Paris attacks last November. It has been nearly 7 months, and it seems that these acts are certainly occurring more frequently.
When these senseless tragic acts occur, I can feel the gambit of emotions. I feel everything from shock and disbelief to anger, and ultimately compassion and grief for the grieving. Soon thereafter, I can feel more anger bubbling up within me again.
To further ground myself, this morning I felt as thought I needed to evoke the spirit of the actions taken by the family members of the “Emanuel 9.”
These were the nine slain individuals who were fatally shot during a Bible study meeting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church last year. These family members were an excellent example of what it means to rise above fear and hatred.
When those family members confronted the murderer who killed their relatives in cold blood, they responded with love and forgiveness. They did exactly what Christ expects us to do – they chose love even when it was most difficult.
The words that inspire me are, “Little children , let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 (ESV)
Tomorrow let’s talk about the importance of remaining steadfast.
Please share this message, because others desire to be inspired.
So today, let’s not succumb to fear and hate, but choose to love even when it’s most difficult.
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