Bulletin Thought - May 2016

May 1, 2016

Bulletin Thought

A Thought from Pastor Bryson,

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God….

Psalm 42:5

Last week at the bus terminal downtown, a horrible thing happened. One young man was critically injured in a shooting; three other youth also suffered non-life threating injuries in this shooting that took place while the terminal was full of children waiting to catch the bus. It is believed by the police that this shooting was not some random act, but that the individual critically wounded was specifically the target. Fortunately no one else was seriously injured but for a few moments chaos reigned as children and adults ran for safety.

Three youth from our congregation were part of the crowd running for safety and THANKFULLY they were not injured. But such senseless acts of violence happening of all places in the bus terminal full of children and youth does not bring comforting thoughts. If anything, it causes alarm and despair as parents wonder is my child safe anywhere? In this current day and time, the reality is anything can happen anywhere and at any time. In another state last Sunday one man was shot and killed during a worship service. I can hear one of our older members, now resting in glory proclaim, “Lord, have mercy.”

With all that is happening around us we can easily become downcast in spirit like the psalmist in Psalms 42. But notice that he counsels himself. He asks himself the question, “Why am I despondent? Why am I upset? I am to always hope in God.” Perhaps we need to follow his example. Obviously we are upset by all the senseless violence happening today. Not only that, there are other issues of life that many wrestle with. With all that is going on our lives are ripe for despair.

But, we must not allow the challenges we face today to rob us of our thoughts and “knowledge” of God, knowledge born out of our relationship with Him and our many experiences of God working in our lives. Yes, danger is all around us; yes, challenges abound – but God is still sovereign. God is still good and full of mercy. The problem is not with God, but with the foolishness of individuals who refuse to acknowledge God as Lord of their lives.

So what are we to do? The Bible says we are to live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; 2 Cor. 5:7). Faith then always has us looking to God, trusting Him every step of the way, knowing that He is with us. Faith has us counting our blessings on a daily basis, faith also leads us to share our faith when the opportunity presents itself, remember, we are to let our lights shine in this world; we are ambassadors for the Lord.

Although bad stuff will continue to happen all around us, don’t despair, hope in God…