Devotional by Rev. Karl Decker
Scripture: Isaiah 1:17 ESV
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
Thought for the Day: I recently was part of the spiritual team for a three day weekend event for high school age teenage young ladies. It was an eye opening experience seeing the transformation of these 13 young ladies over the course of the long weekend.
Although many came from different backgrounds, areas of town and schools, there seemed to be a common theme amongst a good number of the young ladies; there was a lot of hurt, guilt and loneliness. Most did not have good positive male role models in their lives.
I did my best to be a shepherd for these young ladies, and let each one know that God loves them no matter what.
I was also blessed that there were two other men who were called by God to work the weekend (usually, I have been the only visible male on previous weekends). Both men interacted with the girls during the weekend in their roles as servants. They were great examples of how men should be, loving, kind, caring and generous.
The weekend made me realize that we as Christian men, need to step up and be a good example and to step in when other men are not…..
Prayer: Father, God, please continue to give me the opportunity to be a good example for the young people I meet in my life. I know I am not perfect, but let each one see a glimpse of you in me. I pray those young ladies will find someone in their lives that they can feel safe with, loved by and appreciated. Please stir the hearts of the men they come in contact with to be a reflection of you as well! I pray in Jesus’s precious name, Amen!
