5:38AM
Published by Amy under Jesus, Random on September 29, 2008I had a revelation this morning on I-40 driving toward work. Yesterday I went to church and had lunch with friends and we whined in community about some church politics. Lifeway had pulled a magazine that had female pastors on the front cover. (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1228724.html).We were all very sure that a great injustice had been done.We sat there and reveled in the injustice and how WE were above such lunacy. I left feeling a bit self-righteous and satisfied that our little group of rebels was in agreement.
This morning at 5:38 AM for no apparent reason it occurred to me that I need to confess this sin. I haven’t changed my mind of how I felt about the SBC or women in ministry. But I suddenly realized how petty and ridiculous I was yesterday and most days. The world is filled with injustice babies die of hunger, little girls can’t go to school, disabled people, women, and racial minorities are denied employment, the poor get poorer while the rich get richer, children die in wars they didn’t start and on and on and on. I was almost in tears. While I am so quick to point fingers and whine about the apparent injustice in my little bubble of a world, how rarely do I look beyond to greater injustice, greater oppression, greater pain?? Which sort of injustice comes to mind more easily? Which one do we talk about in church?
I think the key to getting beyond all the denominational insanity is to realize how small and insignificant it really is in scheme of the world, in scheme of the Kingdom.
“Give fair judgment to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute
Rescue the poor and helpless;
deliver them from the grasp of evil people.
But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant!”
Psalms 82: 3-5
Amy
Amy,
I believe that this is the difference between religion and relationship. Man wants to build religion (denominations) and God wants relationship. God created man to have a relationship with HIM (Gen 1:26, 3:8-9, John 14 - 17). We are all to be preachers of the word, instant in season, ready to give testimony…etc. Putting aside the issue of pastoring men and women are to preach the word. St. Francis (titled by man) said, “Preach the word unto every creature and if necessary use words.” Our lives should be our testimony of our beliefs.
I loved your statement, “I think the key to getting beyond all the denominational insanity is to realize how small and insignificant it really is in scheme of the world, in scheme of the Kingdom”. You are correct. The world is full of injustice but never forget the God we serve. He is just. He is righteous. He is dependable. HE IS GOD AND THERE IS NO OTHER LIKE HIM!!!!
I’ll leave of preaching and just say, Keep up the good job. Be like the Christians in Berea, Check out the book then believe.
love you
Unc. Robbie
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