Friday, January 20, 2017

inauguration declaration

in·au·gu·ra·tion
iˌnôɡ(y)əˈrāSH(ə)n/
noun
  1. the beginning or introduction of a system, policy, or period.
    "the inauguration of an independent prosecution service"
    • the formal admission of someone to office.
      "Truman's second presidential inauguration"
    • a ceremony to mark the beginning of something.
      "the inauguration of the Modern Art Museum"



It's the day of the U.S. Presidential Inauguration.  As we begin this new era, it's also a good day for me to declare how I want to live forward in this period.  

I confess....

*I confess that I have a hard time loving my enemies.
*I confess that is hard to pray in the right spirit for those whom I am angry with and view as enemy.  
*I confess that I often place my hope in a false sense of comfort and security.
*I confess that I have not represented Christ well.
*I confess that too often I self-protect. 

I commit to...

*not return violence and hate with violence and hate.
*peacemaking.
*intentionally living in the tensions in order to seek healing.
*learn the way of Jesus who embodied truth and grace, beauty, forgiveness, humility, courage, sacrifice, service, and most of all, love.

I pray for...

*our cities, country, world.  
*those whom we most often neglect, de-humanize, harm.  
*the United States government.  
*personal courage, wisdom, discernment, and Christ's heart and mind.  

How about you?  What do you confess, commit to, and pray for as we live in these days?