“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 New Living Translation)
While David’s words found in a Psalm 23 are surely familiar to you, and they are fitting for this meditation, I need to tell you that my inspiration for today’s meditation came from words spoken by Dr. Troy E. Ladd. Not long ago, as he reflected on his arrival in a new community located in a new city to Pastor a church in an area where every week somebody was being shot, and bodies were being found in alleys in close proximity of the church. Dr. Ladd shared how he made a decision to buy a house in that troubled neighborhood. His new residence was in the midst of the streets where crime was high and his home was close to the alleys where folks were found, unfortunately too late to be revived or saved.
When asked why he did not move elsewhere, perhaps to the suburbs where a lot of pastors lived, he made a profound statement. Dr. Ladd said, “Sinners are going to sin.” He elaborates, “But that is why we are here for; to bring about a change in their hearts and their eternal destiny.” Dr. Ladd had a sense of peace as he put forth those words and there never was any evidence that he did not feel protected as he personally helped many young people come to know Christ. His presence changed the neighborhood, impacted the community, ignited new ministries, and the noise of sirens turned to silence, and the disturbance of the nights turned to a distinct absence of violence. Practicing sinners were saved and became professing sons and daughters of the Lord. Why? Because of what this man of God had inside him.
We ought to be saying today, “I want what he has,” so that we can fulfill our purpose for being here. Our work for the kingdom awaits us. Our serving as the salt of the earth and the light of the world awaits us. We are members of a royal priesthood and our duty to serve as a bridge for people to come out of darkness into the marvelous light awaits us.
Before closing, let me add that Dr. Ladd also pointed to the need for continuation in our churches. The demographics of the church may change, the neighborhood may go through changes, and the persons holding the positions of pastors and leaders may change at local churches. Nevertheless, we must seek continuity, embrace the continuation Dr. Ladd spoke of, and we can do that by showing love in action in our communities. Think about why we are here, my friend. Meditate! Pray! Act! Depend on God! Hope! Trust! Be blessed!
“…for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (2 Peter 2:9 NLT)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King