Thought for Today
Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy New Year to all.
I wrote yesterday about the death of Jimmy Carter. Former President Barack Obama recently posted on Facebook “He believed some things were more important than reelection – things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image . . . it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values. He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. In his Nobel acceptance speech, President Carter said, “God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace.”
Today is the first day of a brand-new year. 2025 begins as a blank slate, nothing written on it so far . . . or, at least it seemed until I turned on the television this morning. If you are not yet aware of the tragedy in New Orleans, it appears that 2025 will be a continuation of all of the hatred and violence we witnessed in 2024. Although they are segueing into back-of-the-newspaper stories, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue.
In high school I wrote an essay on man’s inhumanity to man. I had been reading the works of Ralph Emerson and Henry Thoreau and that paper was heavily influenced by them both. Listening to the television news reports from New Orleans this morning and reflecting on those continuing wars, I am reminded of that long-ago essay.
Jesus said, "John 8:31 If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 2 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." As a Christian, as a minister, I believe the words of Jesus. I hear his words known as the Beatitudes. I know the truth of those words. I also know the truth of those words posted by President Barak Obama. Jimmy Carter was correct, “God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace.” It’s up to us, corporately and individually.
I know the truth that every time people attempt to solve problems employing tactics of hatred and violence, nothing good comes of the effort. Evidently, however, the mothers of those who resort to hatred and violence were unlike my own, who often told her children, “Two wrongs never make a right.” History is replete with examples. The Nazis tried to solve the economic ills of post-WWI Germany using what they called “The Final Solution.” The resulting Holocaust was neither a solution nor was it final. It merely resulted in increased suffering for Germany and ultimately the destruction of the Third Reich. Japan did not fare any better with its actions in China and throughout the Pacific.
Will 2025 be the year humanity finally gets the message? Will this be the year humanity makes discernable progress toward God’s will being done on earth just as it is in heaven? Will this be the year we make progress toward eliminating man’s inhumanity toward man? I hope so. I pray so. “8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Stay safe, pray for peace, trust God,
Pastor Ray