A SIGN OF THE TIMES
It's a sign of the times. I mean the times since the financial market went south and everyone became afraid. It's a sign of the times. I mean the last few years when a lot of otherwise sane people became paranoid of a lot of things that before this time they didn't have the time to be afraid of. It's a sign of the times. When otherwise good and decent people act less than goodly and decently believing they are somehow entitled or even 'called' to act that way.
It's worth the effort to stop every once in a while to examine who we are and the choices we make. Not so much to look at what we are doing but why; and to test the 'why' with reality and not merely wild imaginings. For instance, is what we're doing and what we're choosing, based on facts, on reality, on truth so well worn that it's become durable yet soft like tumbled leather... or is what we're choosing and what we're doing based on fear, on 'what if's' and a sense that the sky is really falling?
Don't get me wrong, there are real things of which prudent people ought to be afraid. But when our life is made up of looking for conspiracies behind every corner... when our life is such that not a day goes by when we don't become suspect of some one or something that we're sure is 'out to get us' -- there is something wrong. And it's not likely that what is wrong is outside of us.
Take a look over the past few days or the past few weeks in your life. Do an honest, searching examination. How many times have your thoughts or actions been based on fear? What have you done or thought about doing to protect yourself from a perceived threat or unknown? Was their any basis in fact for your having done so?
Have you passed along a message of fear or suspicion to someone else? Have you become part of the fear producing sign of the times?
The political culture at the moment and surely the financial climate are being moved and sustained by calculated messages to make people afraid. It's easy to get caught up in it all. Just five minutes on any newscast can scare you to death. Otherwise bright people check their brains at the door of fear... and do and say foolish things. Larger and larger parts of our society and culture spring fearfully out of control. Even the Church is not immune.
Today I was embarassed to be a Presbyterian as at our quarterly meeting minsters and elders alike stood to concoct conspiracy tales. The matter before us was consideration of an addition to our Book of Confessions. Written in South Africa to address issues of unity in the face of racism and segregation, the document called The Belhar Confession, reminds us as Jesus did in His high priestly prayer, to remember that we are one, as He and the Father are one. And yet today, the concept of such unity was trampled underfoot by those who fear those different from them.
As I listened in disbelief and disgusted amazement to folks who sounded as though they all read from the same playbook... I was saddened. Ought it not be true of the Church that we lead society and culture FROM fear... rather than getting ourselves entangled in it. How can such a fearful lot of folks as I sat with today lead the world to the reconciliation, unity, freedom and peace Christ intended? No wonder so many see the Church as irrelevant.
And while disturbed by what I saw and heard today, I am not afraid. The Church of Jesus Christ has come through darker times than the fear that has permeated the church in North America in these days. Leaders in times past have led the church farther astray than this. Enemies from outside and within have tried in more calculating ways to destroy the message of the Good News of God's love for all people.
I do not dismay, because I know the end of the story. Fear loses. God wins.
Those who prevailed in fear today will pass away like the grasses in a field. God will raise up women and men of vision to carry the mantle of His message forward. "Fear not for I am with you and do not be dismayed -- for I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."
I refuse to be among those who fear. I choose to seek hope and light. The Church has need of those who can read the signs of the times and lead people by another path. May hope and light lead you today and always. BLESSINGS AND JOY TO YOU. THE CELTIC MONK
It's worth the effort to stop every once in a while to examine who we are and the choices we make. Not so much to look at what we are doing but why; and to test the 'why' with reality and not merely wild imaginings. For instance, is what we're doing and what we're choosing, based on facts, on reality, on truth so well worn that it's become durable yet soft like tumbled leather... or is what we're choosing and what we're doing based on fear, on 'what if's' and a sense that the sky is really falling?
Don't get me wrong, there are real things of which prudent people ought to be afraid. But when our life is made up of looking for conspiracies behind every corner... when our life is such that not a day goes by when we don't become suspect of some one or something that we're sure is 'out to get us' -- there is something wrong. And it's not likely that what is wrong is outside of us.
Take a look over the past few days or the past few weeks in your life. Do an honest, searching examination. How many times have your thoughts or actions been based on fear? What have you done or thought about doing to protect yourself from a perceived threat or unknown? Was their any basis in fact for your having done so?
Have you passed along a message of fear or suspicion to someone else? Have you become part of the fear producing sign of the times?
The political culture at the moment and surely the financial climate are being moved and sustained by calculated messages to make people afraid. It's easy to get caught up in it all. Just five minutes on any newscast can scare you to death. Otherwise bright people check their brains at the door of fear... and do and say foolish things. Larger and larger parts of our society and culture spring fearfully out of control. Even the Church is not immune.
Today I was embarassed to be a Presbyterian as at our quarterly meeting minsters and elders alike stood to concoct conspiracy tales. The matter before us was consideration of an addition to our Book of Confessions. Written in South Africa to address issues of unity in the face of racism and segregation, the document called The Belhar Confession, reminds us as Jesus did in His high priestly prayer, to remember that we are one, as He and the Father are one. And yet today, the concept of such unity was trampled underfoot by those who fear those different from them.
As I listened in disbelief and disgusted amazement to folks who sounded as though they all read from the same playbook... I was saddened. Ought it not be true of the Church that we lead society and culture FROM fear... rather than getting ourselves entangled in it. How can such a fearful lot of folks as I sat with today lead the world to the reconciliation, unity, freedom and peace Christ intended? No wonder so many see the Church as irrelevant.
And while disturbed by what I saw and heard today, I am not afraid. The Church of Jesus Christ has come through darker times than the fear that has permeated the church in North America in these days. Leaders in times past have led the church farther astray than this. Enemies from outside and within have tried in more calculating ways to destroy the message of the Good News of God's love for all people.
I do not dismay, because I know the end of the story. Fear loses. God wins.
Those who prevailed in fear today will pass away like the grasses in a field. God will raise up women and men of vision to carry the mantle of His message forward. "Fear not for I am with you and do not be dismayed -- for I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."
I refuse to be among those who fear. I choose to seek hope and light. The Church has need of those who can read the signs of the times and lead people by another path. May hope and light lead you today and always. BLESSINGS AND JOY TO YOU. THE CELTIC MONK
I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You :-)
~Ron