That was the request of a brave woman when she realized that she had to do something drastic for her family. What she would have to do was risky—it could’ve ended in her death. But she also knew that if she didn’t, she and all of her relatives would certainly die.
The woman’s name was Hadassah. Her story and the story of how her family, the Jewish people, was threatened with genocide is recorded in the biblical book carrying her Persian name, Esther.
When Hadassah came to grips with the situation—that she and her whole family tree were facing death if nothing changed, she asked for the whole people to join her in preparing to take action. She didn’t stomp into the throne room and make her demands. Nor did she make plans to get out of town. She didn’t just take some time to pray about it alone. Neither did she just sit and complain about how unfair it was. She resolutely accepted the situation, decided to do something about it, and requested that her uncle Mordecai “gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast...” (Esther 4:16, NIV)
There are a number of ways in which we American Christians (and us UABCers specifically) are now much like Hadassah’s people. If nothing changes, we also will be facing death. (See the Life Cycle of a Congregation diagram below. The Church Board last year determined that we are somewhere between “Stability” & “Decline”.) We know that we must take action soon. Yet, we will not stomp our feet making our demands; we will not look for opportunities to get out of Dodge; we will not pray with passivity; nor will we not sit down to complain. As Hadassah, Mordecai, and company, we will prepare together.
diligence for the Programs & Property Task Force,
and that the "5 ALIVE" language will continue to become part of our rebirth as a church family.
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