darkness cannot drive out darkness....

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness:: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate:: Only love can do that.”-- Martin Luther King Jr. 


Today, I had the pleasure and the honor to be in the presence of 3 amazing, wise, and passionate pastors. I was encouraged and challenged to be the change I wish to see in not just my campus and church, but ultimately my community. I will be the first to admit that I struggle with unity. Gary Underwood, a local pastor, spoke about unity in the community. It convicted my heart and put so much into a new perspective. Just like he challenged his congregation, I am challenging whoever is reading this. 

There are a few things from Gary's message that I want to to share with you. As I sit here thinking about the greater Muskogee area, my heart aches. There is such a strong spirit of of division. We as the Body of Christ need to rise up, get prayed up, and become one. I want to challenge each and every person reading this to really think about the community they live in. 

The biggest thing I want to stress in the space here is this:: People matter to God, therefore they should matter to us. (Ephesians 4:4-6) A question raised this morning was, “Who is our neighbor?” The answer to that is simple-- anyone who isn't us. 

Speaking from the context of being unified in the Body of Christ, Pastor Underwood stated 3 things necessary for us to be able to have unity, not just in our own individual places of worship but to better unify the community at large. 

1. We must remember that we all have one enemy- Satan; we need to stand together as the Body of Christ rather than compete against each other.
2. We have one heart and one love. If Satan wants us as the church and even as a community to compete against each other-- God wants us to complete each other.
3. We have one purpose- Jesus!! People matter to God and they should matter to us!

I want to leave you with these words from Dr. King:: 
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.”

Let this be the year we all decide to speak out. Let this be the year we bring unity to our communities. Let this be the year we love and embrace our neighbors. 

Love God. 
Love others 
Love yourself. 

Love and light,
S.

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