Dear Gateway Family,
The events of the past week(s) have been horrific, tragic, and unjust. It’s difficult to even know how to respond, and then it seems any response is lacking…but respond we must!
As people of faith who love Jesus, we are called to love everyone and work against the injustice toward others, including the sin of racism.
Genesis 1:27, 31 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them… And God saw everything that he made, and behold it was very good.”
Perhaps Voddie Baucham says it best, “We are all the race of Adam, one race, one blood.” Or as my friend Doc Fernandes says it, “There is only one human race.”
The biblical call is to “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.” (Micah 6:8) It’s simply not enough to “talk the walk” we must “walk the talk.”
At Gateway, we are committed to sharing the message of forgiveness and reconciliation to God and to others; to “walking the talk” in our attitudes, hearts, and actions toward others. God, forgive us where we have failed.
The lines of the Lord’s Prayer come to mind: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”
We live in a broken world, filled with broken people. Only God can fix this brokenness, and He has chosen to respond to the prayers of His people. So, here is how I am praying. Please join me.
Heavenly Father, the words are hard to come by, and my heart is broken at the injustice in the world today. I don’t understand the depth of the pain and suffering that is real and experienced by so many. My mind simply cannot comprehend it, and my soul cries out to you for healing in our land. We are broken, confused, and overwhelmed. You have called us to “weep with those who weep” and to “mourn with those who mourn,” and where we have failed, we beg you to forgive us. Give us the strength and the “heart” to walk in obedience to your Word. I pray our eyes are fixed on You, the only One who can truly bring peace. And I pray, Jesus, start with me. Amen.
I love all of you,
Pastor Tom
