Robbery In Progress

Picture this: You awake and pick up the newspaper with a caption which reads; "Robbery In Progress".

Now that probably will not garner much attention because a robbery occurs every few seconds. As you read on, you soon discover that the robbery was not committed by an individual, but a spirit.

Now that I have your attention, I must inform you that a spirit is loose and reeking havoc on everyone and everything it sees. This spirit comes in the form of doubt, uncertainty, worry, fear, depression, violence, lawlessness. And a new form has emerged which is affecting our children as well as adults: Overeating. Without some divine intervention, I’m afraid this last enemy will kill more than the soldiers on the battlefield.

In our nation, childhood and adult onset obesity has reached epidemic proportions. While we sit idly by, people are losing the battle to this enemy of mankind. Eating has become the great American pastime. It is not only affecting the secular world, but this enemy has found a place among many of God’s people.

With this fact in mind, I ask you, "How much longer will we allow this enemy to remain the victor? When are we going to awaken and take back what has been stolen from us? How many more songs are we going to sing, how many more messages are we going to preach as this thief physically debilitate, and in many instances, kill the ones we claim to love?"

While we are praying, the statistics are mounting daily. Hypertension and juvenile onset diabetes are invading the young population. Performing health screens are one facet of the many duties I perform as a nursing professional, and the rate at which our young men and women are diagnosed with high blood pressure and obesity is astounding. This will continue until we, as a people, wake and rise to the occasion. Health and well-being were awarded to us as a result of the shed blood of Christ. Are overeating and apathy the ways we’ve chosen to thank him for the precious gift of his life?

In the book of Exodus Chapter 22 Verse 7, the writer declares, "If a man shall deliver unto his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double." As if the stealing of our health and well being are not enough, another robbery taking place is the deplorable conditions I witness on the city’s streets, in back alleys, on sidewalks, in parks etc. The rich appear to be getting richer and the poor can’t sink any lower.

I am especially disturbed and drawn to action concerning the world’s poor, both here and aboard. At present, I am teaching our primaries (children) about the importance of giving to others less fortunate than themselves. At the end of this year (2007), we will distribute to the necessities of the people as God instructs. We can’t reach the masses, but we MUST do all we can. The problem is not money because we are spending trillions to finance a war on foreign soil. Someone must answer the call, why not us, why not NOW? We can’t answer or respond to every situation, but as we reach out to help, God will supply us with the necessary means to reach out more.

We cannot allow race, socioeconomic status, gender, or past history deter us from the job at hand. Recently, we celebrated what has been declared Black History Month. Many rejoice that each year a month is set aside to honor African American achievements. While I am conscience of the many strides we have achieved, I won’t stop doing what I can as a citizen and believer until African American, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and every other culture becomes a part of American History and is discussed every day.

Christ died for all. The scripture declares there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond or free, but we are all one in Christ. This oneness cannot just occur on Sunday mornings for a few hours, nor on special occasions; oneness has to be a way of life for every God-fearing individual.

The enemy we fight is subtle, that is why he deceived Eve and robbed her of her inheritance. He is making strides with many of us as well.

Now that you are aware of the robbery in progress, I call you to action. Some of you might be asking, "What can I do, I’m only one person with not many means".

You can respond by embracing the words of the writer of II Chronicles 7:14,"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land."

People, this passage was spoken to the prophets over 2000 years ago, yet it applies to our situation today. The land in which we live is scattered with sick individuals plagued with physical, emotional and spiritual incapacities. They are all in need of healing. This can only occur if we go to God and confess that we are incapable of change without his assistance. We must allow him to direct and lead us to the answer. We must exercise discipline over our lives and follow the paths of good nutrition, healthy lifestyles and Godly living. Through constant prayer and firm adherence to instruction from God and the people he has in place to assist us with our many concerns, we will destroy this thief and eradicate his plans.

He must return when he is caught all that he has stolen from us through death, murder, disease, divorce, etc. I’m getting all he took from me and my family, and I invite you to do the same. He owes us. We must make him pay. We have the greater one on this inside of us. He will give us the strength and the weapons to fight the evil ones.

A wise man once said this passage of which I am mindful from day to day. I would like to share it with you and to ask that you embrace its truths as I have. "If a sparrow cannot fall without his notice, how can a nation rise without his aid?"

Seek God today, we cannot and will not make it without him. The proof is all around us. Peace is my prayer for you all.

Travestine Wright