Guest Post on The Baptist Standard

Hello TWP family! Dr. Eric Black, Executive Director/Publisher and Editor of The Baptist Standard asked me to write a guest editorial piece. What an awesome opportunity! Thank you Eric, Ken Camp, and The Baptist Standard team! Click the button above two check out more from The Baptist Standard. Here is that Guest Editorial:

I wouldn’t consider myself a photographer, but I sure love taking photos. I keep my eyes peeled everywhere I go seeking obscure, yet intentional photos to be used in sparking and stirring meditation on God’s word.

I have been doing this for about seven years. I take a photo, I prayerfully search for and find a Bible verse that corresponds, and then I send it to family members, friends, church members and, finally, I post the inspiration on my blog—The Whole Pastor.

Something brilliant happens when we tether together what we see with our eyes to the word of God we have in written form. In their book Prayer: Forty Days of Practice, Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson call this “contemplative imagery.”

They explain it this way: “Prayer is a conversation about everything. Words and images are vital tools that can help us grow in this endless and ongoing conversation, but we must understand that the words and images we use are not the content itself. They are just excavation tools that help dig toward and into the real content: the ongoing, ever-present conversation between us and the Divine” (p. 4).

The photo above and the words that follow serve as “excavation tools” for all Texas Baptists. Actually, this charge is relevant for all men, women and children who consider themselves followers of Jesus.

Currently, this is what my context looks like: husband to Hannah, father to Ella and Olive, and pastor of Alamo Heights Baptist Church. I pray God would invade my spaces, as well as yours.

God’s word on forgiveness

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:30-31 NLT).

You can check every news outlet, news post or current event article and find “bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, and all types of evil behavior” are rampant. At times, you and I can taste the sourness of it, as headlines everywhere point to violence, hurt, brokenness and shame.

This tension we read about, experience and taste is not OK. There’s got to be a better way out there. Right?

I submit that kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness are interwoven inside each and every one of us.

Take a moment to check your wrist or neck for a pulse. Do you feel it? What you feel is the carefully crafted metronome of life placed there by Creator God. He has gifted us a physical life. Now, we must live life alive while pointing others to him.

Through our relationship with his Son Jesus, you and I have the opportunity to rally together to serve as advocates for the “better way” our today needs. As noted above, Paul points out the adhesive holding together kindness and tenderheartedness is “forgiveness from God through Christ.”

Forgiveness, at times, seems to be an archaic exercise or an experience for which the world no longer has made space. But the word here implies so much more. As Texas Baptists, as Christians, we are not called to simply sit and grant pardon or extend mercy to those around us. We are called—commanded even—to walk graciously with those we forgive and those who have forgiven us.

Since I snapped the above photo while visiting my local grocery store, I find it totally appropriate to supply us with a grocery list of sorts to guide us as we move forward, seeking to be kind and compassionate from a place of reconciliation.

Refuse to be sour.

There is no way we can operate sustainably as bitter or sour people while remaining in Jesus. Harsh thoughts, actions and emotions might emerge from time to time, but John reminds us the Father compassionately cares for and prunes such unproductive branches from our lives.

“Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit [that is not sour]. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NLT).

Grasp hold of this truth, and never let go. May we get rid of sourness by releasing control over to God, trusting as he forgives, heals and leads.

Live life alive.

It is time to synchronize our physical heartbeats to the cadence and urgency of the good news found in Christ Jesus. Our hearts should beat for what God’s heart beats for. Unity among his people and compassion for the world we live in will be present once you and I realize what God requires.

“No, O, people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 NLT).

May we look to be ones who reflect good and right relationships with God and people. May we endure from a place of humility, always.

Shine him.

“No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:15-16 NLT).

As this year is still young, I am most thrilled for the work you and I have ahead of us. This moment is ours to do good. These good deeds will certainly illuminate God’s kingdom here on earth. But it is vital that we know and understand this: God being seen and known is the goal.

The mission of shining him draws people everywhere to connect to God’s love, God’s order, God’s mercy and salvation into God’s kingdom forever. May we be moved today to get after it. And may we move as one.

Bobby Contreras is the pastor of Alamo Heights Baptist Church in San Antonio, creator of The Whole Pastor, a contributor to The Pastor’s Common and chair of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board.