We have to start with ourselves, with repentance. All of us. Otherwise, division and sides and more chaos will distract from the goal of bringing shalom into our current culture.
Let’s all look into our own hearts. My sin has been heavy lately. Mine might look different than yours, but it all affects how we move forward. No matter how bad our collective situation, moving forward without deep awareness of our personal junk won’t lead anywhere good. The groups and churches and cities gathering to pray is beautiful. Heartfelt repentance naturally comes from sitting before God and His splendor.
And prayer? How we need it. Because, “for though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Our weapons may be peaceful but they demolish in the spiritual realm.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
Keep thinking about this. My reading today in Jeremiah comfortingly urged God’s people to not fear, then proceeded to talk of punishment of sin. Seems like double talk. But sin must be punished. If we are believers, He took care of ours on the cross. Now He only convicts and disciplines as a good Father.
But the final punishment of the world’s sin hasn’t come yet. We will see wrath. But if we are His children, we don’t have to fear it. We really don’t. We can stand and stand up to and peacefully protest and actively engage and proactively implement. All without anxious fear of the future. If you only knew how I’m the last person who should be typing this. This is my struggle. But He’s walking with me in it. He will walk us all through it.
So, let’s take a hard look inward. Let’s take our thoughts captive to His Word. Let’s get on our knees in prayer. Then let’s stand and – without losing any fire or passion or the desperate need in our country for justice – fearlessly do what He’s asking us to.