Yet, another storm has hit the east coast.
Another storm has hit America.
Another storm has hit the Church.
No, I'm not referring to an atmospheric disturbance that any local weather news team has been tracking. Rather, "the man suspected of killing nine people at a prayer meeting at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, was caught some 200 miles away in North Carolina, local and federal officials said. After an intensive, 14-hour manhunt for the man who carried out a massacre that officials are calling racially motivated, Dylann "STORM" (my emphasis) Roof, 21, was arrested in Shelby, N.C., during a traffic stop shortly after 11 a.m.," said Greg Mullen, the Charleston police chief. (Per Travis Dove for the New York Times)
One of the immediate hot topics that has already made headlines is that of "gun control." We are so quick to focus on the obvious, the measurable, and at times, those things that will be charged with heated political debate. We must shake ourselves and be freed once and for all to acknowledge, accept, and appropriate that the adversary of events such as Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC and Sandy Hook in Newtown, CT, is not guns, hate, racial divide, or mental health.
In the midst of all of the investigation into this most recent bloodshed in Charleston, South Carolina, we must not ignore a very critical piece of evidence. Look at the scene. With crime scene tape surrounding a holy sanctuary, family and community members have once again been riddled with the reality we too often disregard. Evil is real!
Sadly, as a nation, we have welcomed these evil acts by making God an option, rather than a priority.
- The perpetrator is not flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12)
- The suspect is not 21 years old.
- The weapon was not a 45 caliber handgun.
The cessation to these senseless acts will not be constituted in the chambers of Congress. Beginning at the White House, we must confront the author and conspirer of such devastation and destruction by truly authenticating our pledge as being "One Nation Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!"
SUMMING IT UP: As I wrap up the occupation of my heart here today, I want to clearly call "The Church" forward and UPward. Free from the torment of fear, we must rise, stand, and not coward in the wake of this unfortunate "once again" horrific happening among our faith family in Charleston, SC.
This is no time to retreat.
This is no time to be overcome by fear.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10) Rather, we are being called by our Commander to unify our faith, our mission, and our pursuit as ONE people marching in faith, both in word and in deed.
We must do more than cover social media walls with spiritual pleas and mere emotional remarks.
We must do more than utilize these acts and events as a voice for political agenda.
We must do more than feel sadness and sorrow for the families of the innocent victims.
We must drop to our knees and pray that this madness cease.
My prayer is,
"Lord, let it begin with me!"
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
Amen! Satan is roaming the earth seeking to destroy those who would do God's work. We must be willing to do more than talk. The words are easy, it's the ACTION that is difficult.
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