Since Thursday afternoon when I first found out about the Charleston shooting, I have been deeply upset. I was convicted about how many of us, myself included have let tragedies happen and if they did not impact us or our immediate families and friends we pause briefly, maybe talk about it with those we come into contact with. For me I have felt that as believers we are called to be Christ's hands and feet. Too many times I have been convicted over an issue and instead of responding in love, responding with truth, I haven't responded at all.
After a texting conversation with Heather after Day 1 of possessions we both agreed that some of our most valuable possessions are not objects purchased with money but possessions that are very valuable because you cannot get them back. Time is a valuable possession and it is limited to only 24 hours each day. How we spend our time builds not only our lives, but our testimonies.
Given the events of the Charleston shooting I felt compelled and convicted to spend my time in prayer. I prayed for the shooting victims, I prayed for Charleston as a city, I prayed for our state, I prayed for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ and for the blood and life that unites us all at the foot of the cross be not divided by acts of hate. After praying I chose to use my time to speak out in love and to ask others to join me in prayer.
Thursday's Posts: I am burdened that when we were sitting on our church pews last night, gathering together as a body of believers with our church family praying, our brothers and sisters in Charleston were gathered together praying too. Like us they welcome everyone believing there is room at the cross for all of us. I'm burdened and broken over this but I refuse to believe that there is not power in prayer. Please join with me in praying for healing, for hope, for unity to prevail and for the power of love to overcome this one act of senseless evil.
They were fathers and mothers, state leaders and librarians, speech pathologists and Sunday school teachers. Their faith, their professions, their families, their lives were ended on earth because one man only saw them as black?! Nope it doesn't end like that! Those nine left praying to Jesus and then got to meet Him. The rest of us here in our state and all over the world get to honor them by showing with the work of our hands and hearts that all lives matter. All lives are beautiful. All lives are worthy of love.#itdoesntendlikethat
Friday's Post: As a South Carolinian and a Christian I believe we cannot clutch both the cross and still cling to the Confederate flag knowing the hurt it continues to cause. Scripture says we cannot serve two masters. I know many believe the flag symbolizes the heritage of southern states' rights. I believe human rights, civil rights, and just doing the right thing trumps those. We have a choice this day to determine what defines us as a people of this state. Let's choose courage. Let's choose kindness. #WhileIBreatheIHope
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/06/19/southern-baptists-russell-moore-its-time-to-take-down-the-confederate-flag/
While my thoughts may not be the thoughts of others. I felt led to use my most powerful possession of time yesterday to seek Christ, to pray, and to speak what was laid on my heart to others in love and in the spirit of uniting Christians in our state.
Sincerely,
Dawn
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