An Ugly Question That Is Going Around …Hello Hump Day readers. In the last 5 days I have read some of the most horrible things about Dolly Parton. Such as, “was she really a Christian” — “she had big boobs” — “and she helped those LGBT who were hurt day after day. It’s true she loved the Lord, she grew up in church, loved to sing, and she put out a lot of wonderful songs that shared the lives of many who loved her Christman song. Some of her clothing was a bit out-landish but tell me that we have it too, in spades!

Read this Civil War story, it will grab your heart. The Civil War might have been averted and a peaceful emancipation of slaves achieved had there been more people like journalist Elijah Lovejoy. After observing one lynching, Lovejoy was committed forever to fighting the awful sin of slavery and bigotry. Time after time, mob action was brought against him. But neither this nor many threats and attempts on his life deterred him.

Repeated destruction of his presses didn’t even stop him! He said, “If by compromise is meant that I should cease from my duty, I cannot make it. I fear God more that I fear man. Crush me if you will, but I shall die at my post.”

And that is exactly what he did… four days later at the hands of another mob. And not one member of the mob that killed him was prosecuted or indicted or punished in any way for this murder. Makes you want to throw-up! But here is an interesting turn with this murder. One young man was deeply moved by the Lovejoy martyrdom and how he had tried so hard to bring people together. This man had just been elected to the Illinois legislature. His name was Abraham Lincoln.

In John 12:24-25, the Apostle laid out what is our lives and how to live it: “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal. As a Christian, you have a calling that’s much greater than even your own life. And while most today won’t experience martyrdom, the commitment should be the same. So, devote yourself to the calling of Christ above all others and you’ll be blessed forever!”

What do these words mean to you? Think of the words: reckless, martyrdom. We have a calling that is much greater much than even our own lives! But those words from John have to be written on our hearts. Don’t be reckless, instead grab the commitment God is given you. We must devote ourselves to Christ’s calling.

Here is a prayer challenge from our stories. Every day look around, is someone getting hurt because of their color, LTGB, hate for Muslims, etc. Whether you like them or not, they are God’s creation just as we are.  So, ask God to give you the strength to commit yourself to God, no matter the cost. And remember that we all have warts and pimples…yet we are the shining children of our beloved Jesus and we are demanded to share Jesus’ love for everyone! AMEN.