Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God ~ Ephesians 5:1, 2


Yesterday the world witnessed the carnage of a country which has become so divided they have succumbed to violence on their house of parliament. Anger, violence, and destruction were all a part of this demonstration on the White House. It is a perfect example of how we are not to live, in how we are not to act. It is the perfect example of following a leader which incites this type of behaviour in those who look up to him. It is shameful and sad that this has occurred. It is also an example which has no scale, for this type of behaviour can also happen in a home, in a small company, in a large organization, and as we saw displayed, in a country. It is not the first time this type of demonstration has been witnessed in our world. Other countries have encountered such in history. There have been uprisings since the time of Adam and Eve. People who follow the lord of disobedience, of rejecting God’s values, of anger and destruction. This is why the Apostle Paul calls people to follow another way and not the way of the world. When we see God’s way, it is upside down to the way the world works and lives. Jesus came to offer the peace and love of his Father, to bring respect and hope, to turn a world of hatred into a world that cares for brother and sister. God’s example displayed in Jesus Christ is always the way of love, of offering our self up for others as Christ gave himself up for us, “as a fragrant offering.” Jesus walked in humility, in obedience, in giving of himself every hour of every day through healings both physical and emotional. Words are powerful weapons and bring healing or destruction; actions can show love or hatred; we can offer ourself as a loving sacrifice or live in selfishness and greed. Who do we look up to when we speak, act, or love? When we look to Jesus, we see a new way, a higher way to live in the world and make an imprint on those around us.

Pastor Julia

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