Fight vs. Rest

I've found that those who are engaged in matters involving injustice throughout the world (myself being lumped into that category) are often some of the most passionate fighters I've ever met. It's almost like God stamped 'right and wrong' upon our eyes and everything is viewed through these lenses. Having worked with children, I can often predict which of them have this gift/curse as well. They can sometimes be found on the sidelines because other children aren't playing fairly, in their perspective. Or they can be found advocating the  rights of their peers or a lost puppy. There can often times be a lot of arguing with them, because when the world is black and white, any grey areas can be hard to swallow.

I mention children, because they are typically the most unfiltered, extreme versions of passion. My poor family had a lot to put up with me: "I will NEVER listen to country music", "I will NEVER eat ice cream", "I will NEVER shop at _____", etc. (and just imagine that 'etc.' to be a VERY long list!) However, there are many adults that don't experience the humbling and mellowing out that the hard knocks of life bring. Obstinate, pushy, controlling, and opinionated are all words that could be used to describe adults who never grew out of their child-like passionate state.

But the reality is that being a fighter, or a passionate person, is a gift from God in many ways. When I look throughout history I see thousands of people that lined this path: Peter, Luther, Mother Teresa, David Livingstone, Amy Carmichael... to name a few known people. Reading these, and other, biographies can be an interesting undertaking. They accomplished massive amounts of good, things that the average person never would've been able to, but at the same time, many of them were very difficult, if not impossible, to work alongside. I'm finding that partly that might be due to them not knowing when to fight and when to rest. Or maybe what is the true fight and what is not.

Throughout my years of being an adult I've been aware of numerous (my pride wants that word instead of thousands) occasions where I've been so dull and blind that it wasn't until significantly later that I could even recognize that it was myself (or worse: God) that I was indeed fighting against. The fights with one's self are very brutal and bloody, not to mention costly! I'm quicker at recognizing them these days, but I can't yet go so far as saying they never occur. Letting things go is likely one of the hardest parts of being a fighter. Accompanying that would the topic of resting.

I would say the Scriptural version of rest (or Sabbath) could be equated to letting things go and simply be in God's hands. To take a day off of working or to not collect more manna for tomorrow requires deep trust in Jehovah Jireh! To know the line of when it is time to "love mercy", when it is time to "seek justice", and when it is time to simply "walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8) Trust is a hard thing for a fighter, because we are used to making things happen. To let something go feels impossible. But, as I learn more and more each year, to let things go is to actually accomplish much more!

"Unless the LORD builds the house, the laborers work in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."

Psalm 127:1

Shutting Borders, Shutting Hearts

In the aftermath of the European Union deciding to close their borders, my heart is reeling. I assumed it was going to happen, but I am still in shock. The more I've thought about this choice on their part, the more I can see the idolatry and shallowness of the West.

I live in one of the richest countries in the world. In connection with that fact are glimpses of comfort/ease being the king ruler of all things in our desires. If something is in the least bit difficult or slightly hard, someone will invent something to remove the work and pain out of the task. Also, walking away from challenging things, like marriage, is very common. Nannies, daycares, and teachers are given the responsibility of raising our children in many places. We pump our meat and vegetables full of hormones (and then antibiotics) to make them more pleasing to our eyes and tongue. These products, along with millions of other things engineered simply for satisfaction, are acquired by aimlessly perusing grocery store aisles on our way between sitting at a desk and sitting in front of a TV. What do we know of hardship, of suffering, of deep pain, of hunger...? I've lived in the two poorest places in my city these past years, and what I've found is children who throw free food away at school and homeless people who want cash and reject food. The majority of our poorest people aren't really in dire need!

There's a passage I've been thinking upon these past days: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God..." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) What happens when a people group has insulated themselves from needing comforting by padding their lives with ease and flees affliction at all costs? I just lost my mom a year ago and there were few people around me who knew how to provide comfort for my hurting heart. Why? Because we medicate our hardships- the addictions I see in the lives of those surrounding me are numerous (cell phones, TV shows, busyness, social media, etc). Suffering produces a depth to our lives that is needed to provide comforting to another. If we refuse to plummet the deep waters of pain ourselves, how can we go there with someone else?

When I think about the refugees I met last month, they are no different than my neighbors and friends here. Many were very educated, they loved their families deeply, they were in search of somewhere they could work hard, be safe, and even contribute to economically. A war interrupted their lives! These people aren't scum trying to mooch off of the wealth and prosperity of others who've worked harder and 'done life better' than themselves. They are some of the most afflicted people on this planet right now, in search of comforting and help. Sadly, the places with the most resources have been repulsed by their suffering and have shut their doors in fear. Fear that these people might rob them of their idols and some of the pain might seep into their bubble of safety and ease. If I am being honest, I am truly disgusted at this reaction! Especially in the Church... I can't understand how we can turn our heads away and do nothing. Where is Jesus?

"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.'"

Jesus is in their midst! Do you have eyes to see this? A heart that cares? Please let go of your idols and comforts to feed, welcome, clothe, heal, visit, and pray for those among you in dire need. He's watching and waiting, Church- ARISE!