As followers of Messiah Yeshua, we have an important role that I believe we often fail to understand. The role is to lead the way and set an example for others in what it means to be a follower of the Messiah. We often get stuck focusing on the “I way” verses the “Ya (God) way”. When we stand for God, His Word, and His will for our lives, we set an important example for others.
When we stand for God’s truth, we are not just doing it for ourselves, but also for those who are around us; they may reject His truth, and may even reject us for living His truth, but ultimately, the important part here is that we are setting an example for others, which is bringing God’s light into this dark world.
Currently I am on a speaking trip in the USA, and I sense a lot of frustration from many believers here regarding the direction that the US is taking away from God and His principles. During the past few years, more and more of the foundational parts on which this great nation was founded are being removed: the Ten Commandments are disappearing from the schools and court houses; the very idea of “one nation under God” is being removed completely from the Pledge of Allegiance; and basic principles such as the institution of marriage between a man and woman, as well as others are disappearing. Indeed, the reality is that America – a place that I love – is turning away from God.
However, I believe that instead of pointing our fingers at the Government, other religions, and different movements that wage war against God, we are to point the fingers at ourselves. We have removed the Ten Commandments from our Congregations; we have allowed the world to infiltrate our lives and, in many ways, became self-focused in our worship, removing God from the very center of our lives. In other words, we forgot our role in this fallen world.
This upcoming week, the Jewish people will celebrate the wonderful Festival of Lights (Chanukah). One of the great stories of this feast is about a group of God-fearing people who were not willing to compromise on their stance for Him and refused to bow down to other gods.
The ultimate result was a great victory of God’s people and the rededication of God’s holy Temple.
My brothers and sisters, let us take the time to rededicate our lives to God, and lead the way for the sake of our brothers and friends in standing for God.
Shabbat Shalom,
Moran
One Comment on ““For the sake of my brothers and friends, I speak (and request) shalom within you.” Psalm 122:8”
Dearest Moran…. You are so amazing and so right! When working on a degree in Criminal Justice, I was to do a paper on Prisons. We were taken to a large prison here in Texas. I will never forget the Warden saying upon entering the facility and interviewing multiple inmates, ” There are only 2 types of Police Officers… Keepers ( prison guards) and catchers( street cops)”. You can only be one or the other… But never both”. I remember telling myself as entered lockdown that I would never be a keeper!!! 2 years later I graduated the Police Academy and became a street cop. I retired last year. I loved what I did. 6 months later I hired back on as a Nurse in one of the largest Jails in Texas . I now medicate all those hardened criminals daily. I love it. You want to know why? Well, after I retired, I asked my Heavenly Father to put me in a place of his choice, where I could do his Glory. He put me in as a “keeper”! I have ministered to many in the Jail in his name. Inmates talk and word gets around. They ask me to pray with them and for them. What a joy for me to be able to do his work in such a dark place. How blessed I am that he chose me… To minister in his name. It’s all about the choices we make and our commitment to Him.