It Starts With Us

God instructs the prophet Micah to proclaim a message of judgement.

Judgement. A word many of us are either unfamiliar or uncomfortable with.

This message is a clear call that the way the Israelites are living is unsustainable and eventually, God will restore things right. 

Friends, God’s challenge to the Israelite people is a challenge that we must glean for us today: Let go of the injustice you’re holding on to. 

 Are you bullying people? It’s time to stop. 

Are you mistreating innocent individuals? Enough.  

Are you holding a grudge? It’s time to let go. 

Are you gossiping about someone you don’t like? Quit. 

Are you lying to your parents about something? Confess. 

Are you breaking the law? Stealing, getting drunk, smoking, etc.? No more. 

Are you engaging in sinful sexual patterns? It’s time to lay that down!  

 We have become masters at pointing the finger. At saying, “it’s their fault. It’s their problem. It’s because of THEM.”

But as followers of Jesus, we’re called to lead the way in looking inward. We’re called to suffering love. To not calling out the speck in another’s eye but acknowledging the plank in our own. 

Friends, we must recapture the practice of repentance if we want to see revival take root in our communities. 

It starts with us. 

And it doesn’t start with us bible-thumping, or truth trumping. It doesn’t start with us calling out “wokeness” or “right-wingers” in the broader culture.

It starts with us—as a community, as a family, as a Church—coming together in suffering love. Acknowledging the pain, the brokenness, and the hurt that we’ve contributed to this world—and saying, “I’m sorry. I humbly repent. I commit to going another way, Jesus.” 

This is the cry of our God’s heart.

To lead the way in the renewal of our world. To drop the baggage. To let go of the hurtful, sinful, hateful, and harmful words, choices, and actions that we’ve routinely engaged in.  

Friends, as followers of Jesus, we’re called to something higher. God calls us to let go of the injustice we’re holding on to so that we can pick up the justice He desires.

Because when you let go of injustice, you become open-minded in a way that is inviting and embracing of God’s heart. 

May it be so in us, we pray.

Be encouraged.