Download In the World for August 20 here.
A CLASH OF VISIONS
Charlottesville, Virginia, erupted in violence last week in a clash of visions. The riots came in response to the city’s plans to remove the statue of a Confederate general from a city park. Individuals variously referred to in the media as white nationalists, white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and members of the alt-right gathered to protest the city’s intentions in what was called a “Unite the Right” rally. A large group of counterprotesters also gathered, and soon racial taunts and name-calling turned into a riot. Tragically, a young man drove his car into the crowd of counterdemonstrators, killing one and injuring 19 others.
A SINGULAR VISION
The purpose of the vision God gave Ananias was to heal, not to hurt. He was called to heal the blindness of Saul, a man who was committed to destroying the church. Initially Ananias balked, sensing a great risk to himself, but he obeyed the divine call. In so doing, he played a key part in the apostle Paul’s conversion and subsequent preaching that helped to heal the division between Jews and Gentiles.
- What purposes do our society’s memorials serve?
- Does our worldview as Christians call for viewing those purposes differently? If so, in what way?
- Paul was converted from being a violent persecutor to being a peacemaking preacher. How can that transformation inform and inspire us in light of cultural tensions today?
- Have you ever experienced God calling you to follow a life-changing vision as Paul did? Explain.
- What vision is God giving you now in regard to being an agent of change in our mixed-up, polarized society?
—Charles R. Boatman
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