Light overcomes darkness
By Steve Nailor
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8
My personal devotions this week focused on light overcoming darkness, joy replacing oppression and peace banishing war. The image of light figured in several of my daily readings.
Last month I was in New Orleans for a retreat with the General Commission on United Methodist Men. It was a great experience because I had an opportunity to be with the staff and the five jurisdictional presidents.
On Sunday, we attended St. Mark UMC in the French Quarter. As 20 of us (including some spouses) entered the church, we were greeted warmly in the narthex.
As we sat down in the pews, I wondered, “Whose seat am I sitting in and who has to change where they would normally sit?”
We started the service by centering ourselves in a prayer that we would see Jesus in the scripture, and that God would give us His word, and pour out His truth on us.
As the morning progressed I learned that people with aprons were preparing food for those waiting in the narthex. This church does this every week.
This was a church engaged in ministry even before the worship service began.
Talk about light over coming darkness, joy replacing oppression... WOW! Here is a church helping people have a brighter moment in their day because members of St. Mark UMC cared enough help them when they needed it.
Are you attentive to the needs around you? Are you listening to God and then acting on what He calls you to do?
On another note, I wonder: “Is God calling you to attend the National Gathering of UM Men on July 7-8 in Indianapolis?”
Thought-provoking speakers will challenge us to respond to the call of Micah.
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Thank you for your ministry “to declare the centrality of Christ in every man’s life.”
Steve Nailor, president
National Association of Conference Presidents