AMERICAN EARTHQUAKE – THE CONSEQUENCE OF ADVOCATING DIVISION – TALKING (LECTURING) NOT LISTENING
By David Maddox
One of the things you learn quickly when on a Time to Revive mission trip to America is of the hurt and anger in various racial communities. For some reason God seems to always place us in what is known as the most violent neighborhoods in cities and it there we focus and meet together – go out and share in the neighborhood and invite people – anyone willing to join with us in for meals and ministry. Following Jesus example we first love – then listen – the allow the Holy Spirit to discern what that person really needs – and then we respond as directed by the Lord. No time or opportunity for a rush to judgment. No time or opportunity to preach division and hate when you begin from a place of love recognizing that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We have for some time now lived in an America where the politicians no longer believe in Americans – they focus on interest groups – the black – brown – sexual orientation – where a man or woman etc. – and if you don’t agree with me you are my enemy. Wake up Church is for us to enter this battle and allow the love of Jesus to overcome the hatred of experiences had or advocated. We must start with white churches reaching out to serve black and brown churches. There are some amazing examples in Revive Twin Cities of such ministries among the true Body of Christ. We must love one another Believers and serve and help those among us who are not as fortunate – and we must set aside our simple condemnation and reach out to listen and show love and let God show us what is next. America is no longer the place of hope and yet that is what God offers to everyone. And remember white America Jesus – was never one of us in either race – skin color – or wealth – yet He reached out to us in love and offered Himself and all He has in eternity. Can we do any less?. Yes the violence needs to be confronted and stopped – BUT what then? Then it is time for the Christians of all color to come together under Jesus’ banner of love and bring our nation together by sharing and serving each other in His name.
About David Maddox – After a legal career in both Texas and Arizona that spanned over 40 years as a civil litigator, God called David to leave his law practice and work full time as Discipleship Director for Time to Revive. That call is really the fruit of decades of prayer for revival and teaching God’s Word, writing discipleship materials and seeking to make disciples. David married Janet Whitehead in 1976 and they minister together from their Phoenix home. God has blessed them with four children and thus far seven grandchildren.