TOGETHER

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:1

During the later years of my faith walk, when I still lived in my valley of pain I learned to find solace in the church, among others like-minded. I found a faith home, a place full of people with a true heart for God. Never perfect but always genuine. I have seen these good folk lift up their own, those who carried the pain of the loss of loved ones or others grieving the diagnosis of disease. I have seen them rise to the occasion and love and support their spiritual kin.

And I have also been witness to their compassion upon those not like themselves. Their willingness to reach out and sooth a broken heart or to feed a hungry belly or to cry with a stranger stricken and alone. These people, they are the true body, hands and feet, sinew and bone, mended and sewn together to reflect His person. This is the heart of the Father.

My heart though has grieved as of late. Political division filled with insularity, wrath and demonization has crept into our lives this day and it threatens to spread itself like an ill got cancer through flesh and into feet, hands, tongue and eyes of the body. Religion has taken its place in the halls of politics and claimed law and tribalism, the Us against Them that echoes throughout those man-made walls of a kingdom solely erected by men for their own ends.

And yet I think on Christ, His message that though now trivialized by years of close familiarity, still holds radical power. Love your enemies. Be merciful. Be peacemakers. Do not take vengeance. Do unto others. It isn’t easy in the first place let alone in a season of upheaval such as we have now. But what He has called blessed and what He calls good is oftentimes upside down from our own values.

He is the author of peace and in Him there is no division. Yes, the same God of the old testament who was iron handed is the same One that came in all meekness of human flesh to turn hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. But a usurped faith built into religion to suit the ends of institutions is not His way. This was the way of the Pharisees. Whitewashed tombs filled with the bones of dead men.

But my friends, those of you who claim fellowship with The Maker of All Good Things, remember your royal lineage as priests of the One who as vast and great as anything our finite minds could conceive of, came as one lowly and meek. Who emptied Himself of all glory and rendered “to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” - Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25

Yes, this world is dark and hopelessness and fear bleeds out over the land. But let us remember that we are the ones called to spread faith and hope. Shackling ourselves to fear and embittered cries does us no good when a world doubtful and skeptical watches us and suspiciously questions our sincerity and motives.

Legalization of law and rule can change the outward but only Love can truly change a heart and set the course of a land.

You who draw breath, be you young or old are called to the ministry of reconciliation. You who have been crushed by life and disappointment, those who struggle, you who have been heartbroken and frustrated with failed law and those of you who know the pain of loss and defeat are perfectly positioned to be a soothing balm to the wounds left by divisiveness and unrest. A balm which can inflame a revolution that was not seen since the first days of the fledgling church.

Do not let the political ideologues stir fear or wrath. Infighting and accusations are spoiled fruits from a rotted tree that we do not claim. Your allegiance and fidelity are only found in Christ and Him alone. We are to be above such things for "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” - 1 Peter 2:9

Nothing of this is ever easy, it requires a steadfast faith and a strong hope and deep relationship. But you my friend have been called to this and you are strong because He is strong and He gives strength and mercy to all that ask. Rise up body of Christ and go into this good day with renewed hope and care. I believe in you and always will.