What are you going to do with it?

Introduction

The tragedy that took place in our community last week has been horrific. There is no other way to describe it.

I have heard questions like, “Why did this happen?”

“What could have been done to prevent it?”

What questions have you heard?

I recently read a quote from a minister who was trying to give comfort to one that had just lost a child. He said, “The question is not why did this happen. But now that it did happen, what am I going to do with it?”

I have thought of this question for several days.

Jesus said:

Matthew 22:37–40 NIV84

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

We are created to worship. Even the non-Christian will worship something or someone. Worship is ascribing worth to someone or some thing. It is a reflection of what you will devote your time, energy, affection, finances and heart to!

We are created to worship God, but because of sin, we started worshiping everything else. We even began to worship worry, despair and agony.

So when we learn of tragedies that have happened like has happened in our community, we need to acknowledge, grieve, and console. If you look at the word community, it can be broken down to common unity. We need to question. We need to embrace. We need to lay down our differences and recognize that this is a very small part of to the overall big picture.

More than ever, look at this question of of not why it happened, but now that it did happen, what am I going to do with it?

That’s where our verses for tonight come into play.

Matthew 22:37–40 NIV84

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

We can become divisive about how to handle problems we face. We can become divisive about the priorities and the order we feel they come should.

But when we do, we are not loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind. And we are not loving our neighbor as ourselves.

In fact, we start practicing for the opera. Me me me me me.

Worship is more than a service on a Sunday. It is more than a Wednesday Night Prayer and Praise. Worship is more than an opinion or a vote. Worship is denying self and saying to God, “More of you and less of me!”

Worship is fixing our attention and affection on God, giving Him the glory in and through our lives, in all situations, in all times, and in all circumstances. Worshiping God provides an opportunity that is conducive to seeing God bigger than anything we face or ever could face. Worshiping God is the opportunity for us to be molded and shaped in the image of Jesus, therefore giving us the opportunity to love our neighbors better.

That is exactly what we need to be about right now. When I am at my peak in worshiping God, I am a vessel that glorifies Him, reflects Him, and I become a magnet to Him for others. Then I am able to love. I am able to listen. I am able to lead.

I am not judging. I am not condemning. I am not criticizing. I am doing and being what God has designed me to be.

Matthew 22:37–40 NIV84

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

I have recognized I have some work to do. What about you?