Reading Brennan Manning is always a penetrating time of invitation toward heart transformation. Although I do not generally read books twice, I was invited to lead a book study on Abba’s Child Abba's Childand am so grateful I did. It has been a couple months, but I am still reflecting on the thought that “Blame is a defensive substitute for honest examination of life that seeks personal growth in failure and self knowledge in mistakes.�
July 2008 Archives
The other night I was talking to a group of pastors who were talking about stories of God doing supernatural miracles in other countries- including raising the dead. Then, as inevitably happens the conversation turned toward to desire for God to do the same thing in our American churches. The usual “answers� were given of how our lack of faith prohibits God’s action. Then, I had a thought that hadn’t occurred to me and maybe should occur to more of us. What if we Americans are supposed to be focused more on raising the dead in other countries where a few dollars would prevent the fatal diseases of malnutrition and malaria. Maybe that is the increase of faith that would cause God to raise both our souls and others bodies from the deathly ashes of self focus.
Every time I have turned on the news lately - admittedly this usually only happens once or twice a week when on the treadmill- the top story focuses on our economic crisis. From economics professors to cooking experts I am given advice on how to save money at the pump, to how to cook with vegetables grown in my yard. Don’t worry I have noticed that gas costs more and food prices have risen. We have even made choices to use public transportation and shop at different stores to offset our costs- but crisis? I don’t know, when I think of the word crisis I think of something that might hurt threaten one’s personal safety or significant aspirations.
I read the Economist so I do realize that my little middle class American life routine is not a good measure of the ripple effect of global food shortages and their effect on the poorest nations, but I am concerned about my little American life. Will I allow the media slowly move my outlook towards a crisis mode that causes my mind to fixate on my finances and our endangered economy, or will I remember what I experienced in January when parents begged us to take their children back to the United States so they would be fed. Our little American lives might be in a crisis.
near this neighborhood and hearing countless stories from the homeless and those that work on their behalf I do not disagree with the latter half of this statement, though I lament the first. My sadness does not result from self- righteous incredulity, as this is a common sentiment that I have often felt myself. I merely think that this perspective is what keeps people from participating in changing the homeless situation.
If recognizing free choice prevents one from handing out a dollar at traffic stops this is justifiable and perhaps even commendable, but if free choice threatens to undermine the compassion that God calls us to, we are living with more than just a theological inconsistency. Free will is one of the biggest risks and gifts bestowed upon humankind and how much more malevolent would we perceive a God who gave us the burden of free will and then refused us compassion and help upon our frequent misuse. If we have ever received compassion when we have chosen poorly in small things, how can we not extend the same grace to those who have chosen poorly in matters of larger consequence. When sin abounds let us ask for the heart to have the compassion it takes to embody God’s heart in which grace abounds all the more.
