Hear the Cry!

By Rev. Detra Bishop, PhD


What is the cry? The cry is the creations of God calling out to God. The cry is the earth mourning as it wastes away: floods, fires, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, snow, wind. All the elements are raging out of control as the Day of the Lord draws near. Are we ready to face the never-ending natural disasters that plague the 21st century world? Are we ready to answer the critical question that we will be asked in that great day: What have you done with the time I allotted you?

This message is intended to make you think. How do we spend our time each day? What do we do with our money? How do we treat other people? The questions can go on to infinity, but it all boils down to one thing: Are we ready to meet Jesus when he comes?

When we arise each morning, we need to take time out to say, "Thank you, Lord." As we go along our way each day, we need to ask, "Is there something I can do to help someone else?" When we lie down to sleep, it would be a great thing for us to reflect back over the day and know that we did something to help someone else along their way. Stop now and thank God for all the many blessings we enjoy! Stop now to thank God that in spite of the "cry" that we see and hear daily, we know that God is still in charge of our lives.

Dear God, forgive us for not loving you enough to hear the cry. Forgive us for not loving each other enough to hear the cry. Forgive us for not loving ourselves enough to hear the cry. Dear Lord, help us to hear the cry that goes forth in the earth, from others, and within our own hearts. Help us to be sensitive to the move of the Holy Spirit as we respond to these cries. We repent, Lord, of all the ways that we have failed to hear and respond to the "cry." Amen.