I love the music of Keith and Kristyn Getty. It's powerful, filled with the gospel, and so full of worship. One of my favorite songs, "O Church Arise" has been playing over and over in my head for days now. In light of recent events, the catastrophes across the globe, particularly the events in Paris on November 13, my prayer has become increasingly more a plea for the Church to arise..."an army bold whose battle cry is 'Love!' Reaching out to those in darkness."
Terrorism thrives on instilling terror in the hearts of people, but "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7). O Church arise.
Terrorism wins when we are too afraid to openly worship the Living God, the God of Peace, the God of Love, the Creator of the Universe. It wins when we won't share the message of Life in a world of death. It wins when we shut our doors and our hearts to those who are tired, hungry, thirsty, those needing clothing, the stranger, those who need refuge, those who are lost. Let us not forget Christ's words to his disciples, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). O Church arise.
My heart breaks for the victims of the terrorist attacks and I wonder what I can do. I #prayforparis. I pray for the Church in Paris and the Church universal. I pray that we will not hide. Church, you know the answer. Church, you have life...don't keep it all to yourself. Church, reach out and be the hands and feet of God. Church, shine your light in the darkness so that all may see and know the glory of God. O Church arise.
O Church, let us not hide. Arise.
