Dress Rehearsal

This morning, I woke up with several thoughts in my head and then I discovered a great deal of those thoughts had already made it to print, in my last blog – So Now. . . . .. Unfortunately, since we have descended further into the hole, those thoughts remain quite timely. The seeds of crazy and chaos continue to be sown and the relief seems never to meet the moment – at least to me. And yet, we are witnesses to what is possible when we go to work. Stacey Abrams, though pissed, went to work and led a coalition that has given my party of choice control of the three branches of government. Professional athletes and celebrities used their platforms and brought thousands of others along with them, in thought and deed. The visual consequences of overt systemic racism have brought thousands into a state of “woke.” Scripture says, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up (Galatians 6:9 NLT).” Indeed!!

This dress rehearsal we find ourselves in, should also find us living out our Christian values. I concluded long ago that all things are tests. My friend Pam pointed out that in all these tests, we are Christians first. That is a powerful truth – we are to be Christ-like first, in all matters. If that is not your goal or stance, are you really a Christian? The Bible warns, “There will come a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. They will collect teachers who say what they want to hear because they are self-centered (2 Timothy 4:3).” The Lord is not surprised at recent events, and we should not be either. The Bible also speaks of falling prey to predators, manipulators, exploiters; those seeking to steal, kill and destroy, as they dress themselves up in sheep’s clothing and profess to have only the best intentions. Again, God was not surprised Wednesday afternoon (and neither were most black people). Still, the events of the past week have shaken me and caused me to be knee-jerk in response to information and misinformation (thank you Dana). I need to be more prayerful and more discerning. While prayer is in order for the lost, the misled and the ignorant, it is a requirement for our own strength as well; the strength of those of us who believe and know that God is our power source. God will handle the ones who have turned their backs on Him, so let’s be sure we don’t take our hands off the plow or our eyes off the one who is truly in control.

I have written quite a few lines since I compiled There is A Balm For That, but I went back and found this passage, from Hold Fast:

“Our current living space is so perverted. Principles and priorities are misaligned, values are misplaced, truth has levels, degrees and perspectives while biases paralyze, maim and kill. . . . . . . . . . but, if we remain steadfast, He will successfully transform our minds for increased understanding – partial but increasing – as long as we do “what’s right, love mercy and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).”

Yep, let’s do that and leave the rest to God. He’s handling this mess, even as distractions fill our view!!

Be Blessed,

Regina