Devotional: Our Response

by Earl Ann Bumpus on July 7, 2020 in Blog

On Saturday, July 4th, our country celebrated its 244th birthday! Much history has been made. Some good, some not so good, but we can learn from it all!

Think about our churches and the many changes over the years in how we worship. Some good, some not so good, but we can learn from it all!

Compared to our country, National WMU is much younger…only 132 years old (WMU of Texas is 140 years old). As we reflect on WMU and how we carry out missions discipleship, we can see change. Some good, some not so good, but we can learn from it all!

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:29-32

This verse applies to every area of life. We learn to respect others with different beliefs,  while finding common ground to make progress for the greater good. We each have the  right to express our opinion and a right to be heard. Too often it becomes a win for one and a loss for another as we seek to carry out “our” plans. “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.” Psalm 33:6-12 This is a win-win!

I think I can safely say that we do not want the sights we have seen on the news the past several months to continue. Everyone, beginning with ourselves, can set the example  to be “a light” in a dark world. I am reminded of a song from 1975 by the group, War, “Why Can’t We Be Friends.” The drummer, Harold Brown, explained that “we are all more alike inside than we are on the outside.” Sometimes we just have to work harder to believe that! 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14  

How will you respond?

Written by WMU of Texas President, Earl Ann Bumpus

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