Originally posted on Facebook on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
Did you know there is a group of men, who meet every week to pray for the students, families and staff of every school in Starkville and Oktibbeha County? And by every school, I mean every school: public schools, Headstart, Starkville Academy, Starkville Christian and Mississippi State University.
Today, those men went to be with our neighbors in Louisville, MS who are grieving from a devastating act of violence.
To our surprise, we were met by hundreds of men who had come together from all over with hearts torn for this community.
Chief Sammy Shumaker, spoke to the assembly and gave us a call to arms as men. He likened the challenges we're facing to a football game. He said [I paraphrase],
"The main problem I see, is that we (men) have taken a hit in the game that rocked us. We tapped our helmet to come out, which we need to do sometimes to regain our composure or recover, but the problem is we never returned to the game. However, we still have an opponent, the game hasn't stopped and women have come off the sidelines and put on your helmet and shoulder pads, taking hits they weren't designed for.
We need to go get our stuff back and get back in the game."
What a word.
And then, Will Hill, Mayor of Louisville, Mississippi called the assembly to prayer.
A pastor and dear brother of mine, Johnny Buckner often says that our response to the Word should be indicated by a change in your posture.
So, I got on my face, repenting of our loveless attitude and negligence towards our neighbors, asking that God move on the hearts of the men to make Himself known, not only to them but to the children, families and schools of Louisville and Winston County.
When I pray for a move of God, I never know exactly what it will look like but I know it will happen because He hears us when we pray from His heart (aka in His name). And, when I position myself through the activity of obedience, sometimes I get to see it.
And today, I saw a move of God.
It was remarkably unremarkable.
No fanfare. No loud voices. Just men standing, mostly in silence, together.
The spirit was quiet, committed, unified.
They stepped up. They organized. They planned how they would come together every week for their community.
As I write this, there is the sound of a mighty rushing wind all around my office.
May God add such that are being saved. And, may they turn the world upside down.
Pour out Your Spirit, Lord! Bring us to repentance that we may enjoy times of refreshing that come from You, together.
Amen.