We Have Made Our Way Around This Mountain Long Enough

Monday I was heavy with grief for our nation, I wept uncontrollably practically the whole day. I had been asking God to show me what we needed to see to stop circling this mountain and to bring out anything in me about this that was not of Him (Psalms 51:10). I realized as the Lord was breaking my heart for our nation that I had not been listening and that I had not cared enough. I had been responding and standing for my cause, but I had not been listening or even considering how others with differing viewpoints felt. So, I sat my children down and we had a discussion. I apologized to them for not listening all while expecting to be heard and I was amazed at what I had learned from them.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalms 51:10 NIV).

Don't misunderstand me, I love our police officers and no one supports them more than I do. They have a hard thankless job and many suffer due to the traumatic experiences they face on the job to service our communities, without anyone ever worrying about or paying attention to their mental well-being. However, there is obviously a problem here or we would not continue to be here as a nation. There are two sides here, not just one side. But are we listening to both sides or are we just listening to the side that we agree with? I am talking about not just listening to hear what they believe and how much we disagree, but listening to learn from their perspectives.

These are questions I've had to ask myself this week as well.

We do not have to disrespect our beloved cops and all they do for our communities to recognize people are hurting, genuinely. hurting. I am not talking about the agitators or the media and their political agendas here. I am talking about our black neighbors, our black brothers and sisters who truly feel that the system is rigged against them, not the cops, but a system. That even before they get started, the odds are stacked against them, NO ONE SHOULD FEEL THAT WAY! I have felt that way a time or two in my life, but it wasn't because of my skin color that I did. They feel that way, because of the color of their skin. Do you hear what I'm saying? That's messed up!!

I think it would serve us all well to serve both sides here, because God hates it when we lean heavy towards just one side and we find no favor with Him in doing so. Understand the warning here for us all, no matter what side of the isle we lean heavier towards, if we don't come together and find some middle ground here, we are destined to repeat it and each time we do the stakes get higher. It's time to stop arguing our stances and stop pointing our fingers. It's time to listen to one another.

The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him (Proverbs 11:1 NIV).

It's time to care. I see now that I haven't cared enough. I wasn't prejudice and I had never mistreated anyone because of the color of their skin, so I thought I was excluded from this conversation. But, I was wrong, I have to enter the conversation because I know better.

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:9 NIV).

I also urge you to listen to our younger generations, they have a lot of insight. Unfortunately as adults, we sometimes think its us who needs to tell them what's what, but you'd be surprised the fresh perspective and insight they bring to the table. Their method may not always be the best, but even we adults do a lot of things wrong for the right reasons. But the care and heart they put into what they believe and think will surprise you. Besides even if their methods aren't the best, aren't we here to help guide and steward them in how to do things better? I say, "Yes, yes we are! It's time to know better, it's time to do better, and its time to stop circling this mountain. We've circled it long enough!

"You disobey God's commands in order to obey what humans have taught. You are good at rejecting God's commands so that you can follow your own teachings! Didn't Moses command you to respect your father and mother? Didn't he tell you to put to death all who curse their parents? But you let people get by without helping their parents when they should. You let them say that what they own has been offered to God. You won't let those people help their parents. And you ignore God's commands in order to follow your own teaching. You do a lot of other things just as bad (Mark 7:8-13 NIV)."

You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north (Deuteronomy 2:3 NIV).

Prayer

Father, thank you for the unique ways that you have created each one of us, I believe we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Help us to believe that despite a world that would tell us otherwise. Deliver us from our enemy and help lead us to everything that you have for us. Thank you that you are also working everything out for our good. Search our hearts and help us eliminate the enemies influence in our lives. In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Have you been saved?

If you are someone who has not been saved. I would like to ask you, do you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead? If you believe that then declare openly with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. If you do these things, then you are, in fact, saved, and I would like to welcome you to the body of Christ.

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).

Have you been Holy Spirit Filled?

If you would like to receive power in your walk with God, welcome the Holy Spirit into your life today.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”