TO THE EDITOR

God's word says, "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Our county needs healing. Our people need healing. Until we all realize our purpose in life, we struggle with our flesh and the things of this world. We were created by God for Him, not ourselves. We were created to love and worship Him.

The most important thing we could ever do is accept the gift of salvation through Jesus' death on the cross. The only way to the Father is through the Son. Having a relationship with Him and seeking His purpose for your life is icing on the cake. He loves us so much.

Since I began yielding to God daily throughout the day and getting to know Him, I have fallen deeply in love with Him. He has blessed me with an inner peace that I so desperately needed. I have come to realize that everything I have belongs to Him and it is through His grace that I am blessed. Surrendering my plan for my life and accepting His will has been life-changing.

My pastors' Sunday sermon pointed out in Matthew 5:38-48 what Jesus thought about "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." Jesus said, "Love your enemies, even those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (New King James version).

I say all of this because we live in a county that has been wounded by conflict. I am praying for our county, our country, it's people and leaders. I pray that the decisions our leaders make are not self-seeking, but are made in the true spirit of service that honors God. The enemy wants turmoil among God's people - why do we have to let him have it? Being in God's will doesn't make us perfect and it doesn't mean we won't fail. We all fall short of God's glory and He knows it.

We can humble ourselves and pray and try not to make the same mistake over and over. We can ask for forgiveness and God will hear us and heal our land.

TINA SAGGUS