Take time for "Action"

"Peace on Earth" does not begin with us. Nor does it end with us. It does, however, require our full participation.

Below is one simple action anyone can do to begin the peacemaking process. It comes from St Paul's historic and epic letter to the Roman churches. The essence of this portion (Rom 15:7-13) is to encourage his readers to see Jesus in the other. I like the way "The Message" version speaks to this using everyday language.

Paul writes:

“So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now you do it! Jesus, staying true to God’s purposes, reached out in a special way to the Jewish insiders so that the old ancestral promises would come true for them. As a result, the non-Jewish outsiders have been able to experience mercy and to show appreciation to God."

"Just think of all the Scriptures that will come true in what we do!"

"Outsiders and insiders, rejoice together!"

"People of all nations, celebrate God! All colors and races, give hearty praise!"

And as Isaiah said, (perhaps foreshadowing Jesus' messianic proclamation):

"There’s the root of our ancestor Jesse, breaking through the earth and growing tree tall, Tall enough for everyone everywhere to see and take hope!"

"May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!”

THIS IS THE POWER AND IMPACT THAT ONE RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS CAN MAKE TODAY! Anyone can do it. With little or no effort. Here's a quick breakdown of the impact your action can have.

1)      Help others see God in their midst, in whatever situation they are in!

2)      Unite people, families and communities and nations and religions as one so we may all be with the One!

3)     Redefine humanity by celebrating God with our differences: race, skin color, nationality, political views, etc.

The power of God's promised fulfilled simply because we reach out and welcome one another. Mighty. Powerful. Transformative. Because of this action there is HOPE!

‭From ‭Romans‬ ‭15

http://bible.com/97/rom.15.7-13.msg