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All works for our good
Pastors Corner
Cross

And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
— Romans 8:28

The communications concerning problematic issues in America have become a self-serving, opinionated, yelling barrage of words without anyone coming to a greater understanding of what the other person is speaking about.

We all struggle with many challenges in life, but we depend on each other to respectfully transition through it. Being an African American man allows me a unique perspective when it comes to dealing with things concerning my culture. My truth may never be another man’s truth, but I must respect his voice.

As a Christian, I am charged to live a life that is holy and acceptable to God. But with the current state of our society, you begin to wonder what is holy and acceptable because Christians seem to always be associated with the confusion of whatever is going on. There is always a time and a season for everything, but we must choose our words wisely and speak intelligently, not out of emotions such as anger.

The Bible says, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” James 1:9.

In my brief lifetime, I’ve learned that our enemy loves to push the buttons that will take us out of character. It seems that more and more he’s choosing to use racial divide to distract us and keep us from becoming the one body that the Bible speaks of in 1 Corinthians 12.

However, I still believe that all things are working for our good! I believe that every community leader doesn’t need a microphone, every Caucasian doesn’t need to publicly state their stance on race relations, and every preacher doesn’t need to jump onboard with every heated topic of the hour. I do believe that God has anointed some with a voice to strategically speak to a generation that needs to hear the right things at the right time, people who he has put in place and positioned for such a time as this.

Angry, upset, disappointed, disrespected, sad, etc. are some of the feelings that are experienced, it seems, much too often. And personally, I’ve cried thinking about some of the terrible things I’ve seen and heard. But I choose to wait on God before I move on my emotions. I never get tired of praying concerning a situation, because it’s not only for God to deal with the situation, but also for him to deal with me and how I deal with the situation.

Finally, my brothers and sisters, remember that God sees no difference between us. His word states, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” Galatians 3:28.

So let us strive to do what we’ve been called to do, stand when we need to stand, pray continually, and trust in the fact that all things are working for our good. No matter how troubling it may seem or how much we want to physically do something, God has it all under control.

Hayes is pastor of New Day Community Church and president of the United Ministerial Alliance.

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