Pray first to do the prophetic will of God
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
[Job 13:1-3, NRSV]
My dear family of SPCC,
In so many ways, my spirit is grieved and my emotions are raw. As you have watched, listened and observed the broadcasts of numerous media, I. have. Even while typing this brief message, I have had to pause in order to accept phone calls asking me to pray.
I have shared the beginning verses of Job 13 because they echo my thoughts-whatever we are thinking and feeling, first, we need to take those petitions to the very presence of God. Colloquialisms, political correctness and “same-old-same” gatherings and political speeches from the steps of capital offices in Dallas, St, Paul and Baton Rouge are necessary but they do not provide the healing that the families of the victims and our nation so much needs.
I don’t have the answer but I do know that you can’t have reconciliation of any kind without having sincerity, honesty and transparency.
Rather than exact his anger, his pain and hurt upon others, Job said that he would take his complaints about his disparities to God. SPCC can teach this valuable asset to others around us. As people of faith, we pray first so that our actions do the prophetic will of God.
I hurt with you. I pray with you and do love all of you.
In Christ, all things are possible,
Marcus Leathers
Pastor, Shepherd Park