The Heart of the Issue
Pastor Shawn Robinson
Like me, you probably have watched the devastation in New Orleans this past week. What is even more disheartening has been the outbreak of violence that many have said is worse than the actual storm. How can anyone justify such acts of evil? What could possibly be the motivator to lead people to do such horrendous acts? Looting, rape, murder, it all seems like a bad dream.
So what is the root cause of all this? Is there anything that can be done to turn things around? Not surprisingly, God sees the truth in this situation. Why? Because God is able to see, not only our actions but beyond our actions to an unseen motivator--our heart. God knows that guns and law enforcement officers can stop some physical acts of violence (sometimes more effectively than others), but only He can change the condition of a human heart. What you see on your television sets and read about in the news is a serious heart issue.
Matthew 12:35 captures it best… “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” Have you ever seen a clearer example of the truth of this passage than by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina? I see angry, blaming and hurting people and I realize the burning truth of God’s words.
We have certainly seen a great deal of unsettling events recently. This past week commemorated the 4th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th. Yet we don’t have to look far to see other people in need. In our community we see the hurting and sick. Our own neighbors and family have also experienced crisis and are in need of a touch from God.
Yet in the midst of trials I see hope. People who have heard from God and have risen to the occasion to be a blessing to others in the name of Jesus. Whether it’s reaching out to a family in need, offering prayers of hope for the sick, giving aid to survivors of Katrina (we raised over $12,500 from last Sunday’s special offering) or simply lending a hand locally, Jesus is moving in the hearts of people to do more than just “slap a band aid on a hopeless situation.” God is using people like you to change the hearts of a hurting world.
All I can say is thank you. Now more than ever before I real the urgency of telling others of the love of Christ.
- Shawn