Amara’s Journey in obedience from destructive protest to stronger community

Amara, a dedicated environmental activist in her late thirties, found herself in the midst of political unrest. The newly elected president had just passed a series of environmental policies that Amara and her fellow activists believed were detrimental to the fight against climate change. They were policies that seemed to favor industrial expansion over environmental protection, and this caused a stir within the community.

As the leader of a local environmental group, Amara was expected to spearhead the protests towards the administration. She was torn because she was a strong advocate for the environment but also remembered the teachings from Romans 13 about submitting to governing authorities. She knew that outright rebellion could lead to anarchy, but at the same time, she deeply believed in the cause she was fighting for.

Seeking guidance, Amara turned to her faith. She meditated on the idea that love fulfills the law and contemplated how she could apply this principle to her situation. It dawned on her that love for God and her community and God’s creation should be the driving force behind her actions, not anger or rebellion.

Amara decided to take a different approach. She organized a series of peaceful dialogues and invited members of the government, including representatives of the president, to discuss their concerns and propose sustainable solutions that could benefit both the economy and the environment. She emphasized respect and honor in these discussions, even when she vehemently disagreed with the policymakers.

Simultaneously, Amara launched a community education program that focused on personal responsibility towards God’s creation. She encouraged her fellow citizens to make changes in their daily lives that aligned with honoring God by exercising stewardship of the environment and all of God’s resources. Amara suggested such things as growing an organic garden to feed your family, the use of glass rather than plastic, reducing waste, and eliminating chemicals and pharmaceuticals that are toxic to the water and soil. This grassroots movement garnered positive media attention and eventually caught the eye of the president’s advisors.

Over time, the president began to take note of the constructive approach Amara and her group were taking. Impressed by their dedication and the love they showed for their country and its natural resources, the president agreed to revisit some of the policies and even incorporated a few of the group’s suggestions into new legislation.

Amara’s story demonstrates that submitting to authority does not mean remaining passive in the face of disagreement. Instead, it can mean engaging with those in power through respectful dialogue and positive actions, driven by a conscience informed by faith, obedience, and love for God and one’s community and the broader world. Through her respectful approach, Amara was able to influence change without compromising her principles and accomplished cooperation and peace that strengthened her community and set an example for others.

Submission to Governing Authorities Romans 13

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ⁴ For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

⁸ Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. ⁹ The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet, and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. ¹⁰ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

The Day Is Near

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Follow-up Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

In Your Sovereignty, You hold the universe in Your hands, and Your wisdom far surpasses our understanding. In these times of political unrest and national division, I come before You seeking the grace to walk in obedience to Your will.

Lord, You are the Author of peace, not confusion, and in the midst of turmoil, I ask for the strength to be an instrument of Your peace. Grant me the faith to see beyond the present chaos, to trust in Your unchanging nature and Your ultimate plan for our nation and our world.

As I fast and draw nearer to You, let this act of surrender open my heart to Your guidance and Your priorities. In the quietness of this fast, I seek to hear Your voice above all others, to be reminded of Your promises, and to gain a clearer vision of Your path for me.

In prayer, I lay down my anxieties and fears, my opinions, and my prejudices. Mold my spirit to be aligned with Your heart, O God. Teach me to wait on Your timing, to act not in haste but with Your wisdom and discernment. Help me to remember that Your faithfulness is never failing, even when the future seems uncertain.

Lord, in the waiting, let my hope be anchored in You, for You are the rock that never moves. May my life reflect the humility and patience of Christ, who entrusted Himself to Your perfect will. Let my obedience to Your commands be a testimony to others of the hope that I have in You.

I trust that You are working behind the scenes, knitting together a greater tapestry for good. May Your Sovereignty be the compass that guides our leaders and our people. I pray for unity in our land, that we may come together under Your Lordship, recognizing that we are all Your creation.

In Jesus Name, Amen