Sept 11th, 2021: A New Playbook

 


Maybe it is time for Christians to consider a new playbook while dealing with challenges that we are up against in recent years. The old playbook didn't work. It leads us to the pathway of compromise and indifference towards ungodliness. Somehow Christians have chosen our need to be respected by the world over our need to be obedient to God. We have not had a voice in world affairs because it is not that different from the others.


So what the new playbook should be? Let us consider Nehemiah's leadership example as our guidelines for the new playbook.


Play 1: We believe that God calls us to Himself. It is not about a political system or leaning that He calls us to live accordingly. It is about the redemption of the world. Let us not get distracted by any other messages. Having steadfast faith is essential in this play. (Nehemiah Nehemiah 1:1-11)


Play 2: We need to learn to be truly honest with God, the world, and ourselves. Sometimes we are so afraid that we don't even express our thoughts honestly. We have masqueraded the message of Jesus so badly that the world no longer knows who He is and what His mission is about. Personal discipline will help envision this play a lot better. (Nehemiah Nehemiah 2:9-20)


Play 3: We need to learn how to pray in order to act and then pray again. Prayer is not something we do because we have no idea of what else to do. We pray because we believe that God is with us and for us. We act because our action is the beauty of prayer. Action is the manifestation of a prayerful desire to care for others. Hope is God's faithfulness that will help us execute this play. (Nehemiah Nehemiah 2:9-20)


It was twenty years ago today that the terror attacks took place in the US. It is the day that many of us will not forget. We have used many playbooks of war to respond to these attacks. American chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan last month confirmed to us none of them worked. It is time for a new one indeed.


Jeremiah 29: 11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."


Hebrews 11: 1

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

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