Day 4
Ok…let me begin by saying that my intention during this 14 day prayer journey was to update a quick blog post and include the devotion for that day…well it is day 4 and I am finally getting this done!
Our devotion today is really powerful as we begin to think of where we would be if great people of the past had not made the sacrifices necessary for us as a church and a nation. Would I be serving Christ today if someone had not sacrificed themselves and gone into the prison walls to share the gosple? Yet today I can live a life of peace and joy in the Lord because of the sacrifice of others. Now I want my life to count for the good of others. The things I do and the sacrifices I make now will impact people for years to come. So what are we willing to sacrifice for those coming behind us?
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Hebrews 13:7
“I have a dream.” These words have been indelibly carved into the heart of the western world by one of the greatest leaders of all time—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He stood for peace. He stood for equality. He stood for love. He stood for Christ! He stood boldly as his opponents threatened him. He stood firm while others turned to violence. He stood strong when others had wilted under the pressures of hatred and bigotry. Now he stands in the presence of God among the martyrs, but his words live on and his vision continues to bear fruit.
Martin Luther King Jr. died for what he believed in. More importantly, he lived his life and laid it down to serve the vision of God’s heart. Thankfully, many saw this vision through Dr. King and chose to join him. Had he been alone in this fight, we would still live in a nation of segregation, bigotry, violence and oppression with millions of our dear neighbors relegated to second class citizenship simply because of the color of their skin. But because many joined him in pursuing the dream, we now live in a much more just society. And the progress in racial reconciliation continues to this day—far beyond the life of the man, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Throughout the ages of human history great leaders have arisen and helped mankind accomplish great things. But the leaders do not deserve all the credit—great leaders are ineffective without great followers. Others must catch the vision and help to see it accomplished. This takes unified effort and willing support. Every individual from young to old is essential to the fulfillment of the vision.
As a church, we have been blessed with incredible leaders who see far beyond themselves to the heart of God. In unity they have developed a plan to accomplish great things for the kingdom of God. Now it comes upon us as a congregation to support that vision with our lives and to do so joyfully. Together we can accomplish something that will continue to grow and bear fruit beyond our wildest dreams!
Prayer focus: Ask the Lord to bless our leaders and give them strength. Pray that we would all be united in vision, in willingness, in sacrifice. Ask that the fruit of the Spirit would be upon us abundantly as we labor with God’s power to achieve this vision.
“Behind an able man there are always other able men.” Chinese proverb
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