This past week was a difficult week to watch unfold on television and social media. To see the unrest that unfolded in Washington where Americans were physically fighting each other in the halls of our nation’s Capitol broke my heart. But then to see brothers and sisters in Christ attacking each other on social media was disturbing on a whole different level. I know we all have our views and opinions on political and social issues. I am sure that I would not agree with anyone across the board on all the issues, but I am afraid we have lost our focus on those things that God has commissioned us to be and do as brothers and sisters in the family of God.

We are told to speak the truth in love to one another. The prophet Micah speaks to us about how we are to called to live to please God:

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

I have struggled with what to say next because people seem to react negatively to any suggestion of how we should think or react to the world and what is happening. So, I just want to share from God’s Word how Paul speaks to the first century church on how the early Christians should live their witness to a struggling world.

^“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

^“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4: 4-9).

As Christians, we need to focus our mission on fulfilling the Great Commission and the Great Commandment, which has been at the center of our strategic plan and mission statement for more than 10 years. I want to encourage us to not lose sight of our reason for living as followers of Jesus Christ. Let us pray for one another and seek to glorify God in all that we do!