Here’s Hope: “Hope is what we crave and that will never change. So I stand and wait, I need a drop of grace to carry me today. A simple song to say, it’s written on my soul: Hope’s what we crave.” Song: “Hope Is What We Crave” by For King and Country
Bible Reading: James 2:14-17 (“Dear brothers and sisters, what the use of saying you have faith if you don’t…) Please read the whole passage in James.
Consider This: Have you seen an action or good deed lately that has inspired you to help or reach out to others? This morning, in my normal routine, I was watching the morning news and I heard one of those inspiring, motivational stories that restores your faith in how God can work and minister through people.
The setting for this act of kindness was in Louisiana where a young African American Deputy named Latoya Monique Lewis serves on the local sheriff’s department in the Orleans Parish. She recounted the story which she posted on social media, by saying she was on her way to work, dressed in her uniform when she had stopped to buy gas. A young caucasian man approached her and asked if he could pray for her? She replied, “of course, there is never enough prayer.” The morning news show, showed the actual recording Ms. Lewis made on her phone after the incident happened. Her recording of her experience has gone viral, with over a million views. In seeing just 15-20 seconds of her testimony I could see why it has attracted so many views. Ms. Lewis said emotionally, “I let God have his way… this young man wanted to pray for me.”
In the interview with Ms. Lewis, she said the previous day, she had been at a festival in her community and saw a little boy just walking up to people to give them hugs as a good will gesture. Later that evening, she posted about the little boy on her social media page, and issued the challenge, “Be the change you want to see” (in your world) What an inspiration Ms. Lewis’s story has become to our society which is struggling with racial tension. Furthermore she said, from her perspective as a law officer, she was touched because we sometimes forget that we are all human and we all need understanding as we try to work together in our nation to be civil and compassionate toward one another. In closing, these are additional thoughts Ms. Lewis gave: She said, “love needs to be shared” and again her challenge to “share the hope, share the love, share a compliment” with someone who needs it.”
There are times like this story from Ms. Lewis that you can understand, she doesn’t need to preach a sermon, because she lived it out in her daily life. How encouraging to hear words of hope like she demonstrated with her life. I believe she lived out the challenge that the book of James gives to us in the passage cited today. “Dear brothers and sisters, what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions?” Well done Latoya Monique Lewis, you have blessed us with your actions which demonstrate a beautiful faith lived out in your community. Let us as Christian believers accept your challenge, “ to be the change you want to see in your community.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for godly women and men like Latoya Lewis. Help us through your Holy Spirit to lend our lives to helping others, so others can be encouraged and have hope, because You God, are that agent of change the world needs. Please empower us to be your agents of change for your kingdom. Amen.
Kerry Smith, Associate Pastor