Nestled in the Woods

There is a bit of controversy floating about among Christians in the aftershocks of the earthquake in Haiti. It shouldn’t be, of course. Rather, we should be praying, giving, and/or going, and leave the theology to God, but…

Some say that God is punishing the country of Haiti for their Satanic activity; others say that Satan has caused the disaster; still others say that it is merely an event that God will use for His glory; and others tell us that it is caused by global warming, natural phenomena, or any of a variety of reasons.

I wonder if we aren’t looking at this all wrong. In the history of God’s people from the beginning of time, more often God has used events of both nature and supernatural means to bring His own people to their knees. Is it as simple as that? Or as complicated? Perhaps.

When I hear that believers are praising God in the midst of this disaster, I know that God is being glorified. When I hear of Christians leaving the comforts of their homes to go and help, I know that God is being glorified. When I hear others praying to God for these people…for their safety and their souls, I know that God is being glorified. When I hear the appeals for funding by Christian organizations that can provide relief to the victims, I know that God is using this for His own greater glory.

Do we rejoice, then, that the tragedy happened? What a horrible thought! No, but we praise God that He is working for His glory and then consider how we can work out our own Christian faith in the mix.

Pray…give…go … This is the missionary mantra that we have heard over the centuries, and it still remains the appropriate response to the needs of the world about us, including the present tragedy. Pray for that one soul who will renounce his denial of Christ and follow the Savior; give to help rebuild the necessities of life for those who have been made in God’s image; go, if you can, to bring life and light to those who may remain in darkness both physically and spiritually. Leave the theology of the event to God.

For several days there has been a growing concern in my mind over the vitriolic comments about our current government in power. To my horror, much of it comes from those who call themselves Christians. Obviously, if the government enacts policies that are against God’s commands, Christians should stand up against them. That is a given. The diatribe these days is political and not always on moral grounds. What is the Scriptural injunction? It is to obey the laws of the land, to respect our leaders, and to pray for them.
Our obedience to the laws of the land needs to be run through the grid of God’s Law. Only when there is conflict between the two, do we stand against the law of the land. For instance: God’s law says, “You shall not commit murder.” Abortion would fall into that category. It is right to take a stand against abortion. If we cannot get such laws repealed, we must rightfully speak out against it, and we can refuse to obey it on a personal level. To judge and condemn those who disagree with us is not our prerogative; it is God who will do this in His perfect time.
The harangues I hear these days are not only disrespectful, but are done in the name of patriotism and (perish the thought) religion. Political cartoons show our leaders as buffoons, off color jokes are told about them, and elaborately constructed e-mails portray them as ogres. These people have been elected, and if we are unsatisfied with their policies, it is our responsibility and privilege to tell them what is on our mind. If we disagree, we vote against them when the opportunity returns.

We are to pray for our leadership. It is difficult to pray for someone that you have otherwise treated in a non-Christian-like manner. A few days ago a friend sent me a refreshing prayer for our leadership. The prayer asked for God to give “optimum health, mental clarity and political prosperity” to our president, and that “what he lacks in political ‘experience’ (God) make up for with supernatural wisdom and power.” If we would so pray, no matter which side of the political fence we travel, we will be doing as well as we should.

Yes, we should be discerning when we vote, we must scrutinize the actions of our law makers, and we must speak out against immoral laws or that which is not good for our country. What we should not do is slander our elected leaders.

WEARY IN WELL DOING
Do we get weary in the process of life?  Is weariness wrong?  Is there ever a stopping point?  “Where is that verse, ‘let us not be weary in well doing’?  Do we continue to do good even when we fear that others would take advantage of us?  “I’m getting weary, but I want to do the right thing.”

The verse referenced is Galatians 6:9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (KJV)  The subject is more complex than weariness in well doing, and the larger context is necessary to understand the implications.

I used to think that this “well doing” meant that Christians are to concentrate of living a righteous life and not giving up.  If taken as a statement alone, such a suggestion might be legitimate…especially if Christianity is all about me being “saved”, me living right…just Jesus and me, and so I can be more spiritual. Obviously, we are to live right, but living right includes compassion…always.

The entire passage (Galatians 6: 1-10 read it) gives a broader and more correct view of well doing.

All people, including Christians, get caught…entangled in situations that place them under a burden.  It’s part of our fallen world.  When we see that, it is our responsibility to “restore” them in the best way we can.  We must remember that we, too, live in a fallen world and are not immune to entanglements.  Confront them with the truth, urge them to confess and repent of their own wrong doing, and then lift them up.  We are to…Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  The law of Christ is found in John 15: 12. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  How did Jesus love us?  What burden did He carry?  Not just the cross, but our sins.  We could not carry them ourselves.  We can try to live right, obey the commands, and even believe, but that is not the point and it will not justify us in God’s sight.  The point is that Jesus died in our place for the egregious sins in our life…and one sin in a lifetime is egregious to a Holy God. 

If Christ so loved us that He bore that burden and freed us forever, we are to be Christ-like and bear the burdens that cause others to struggle.  We cannot look at a situation and say, “That person is unworthy of my help”, or “it’s not my responsibility”.  That is pride.  We must not get in the way of God’s leading with that pride.  What motives do we have for what we think, say, or do?  Does false pride or a matter of “keeping up with the Jones” influence our actions?

The Apostle Paul confuses the situation by throwing in this statement: …each one should carry his own load.  There is no contradiction here.  The above burden is one that an individual cannot bear alone.  We walk along side and carry it together.  Our own load, however, is a matter of accepting God’s providence in our lives without comparing ourselves with a lighter load that someone else may have to bear.  Do I have too much on my plate to care about someone else?  Am I ready to walk away?  Do I see my load as too overwhelming to share a burden with another?

The Apostle gives a good example of bearing another’s burden: Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Those who provide spiritual care many times have material burdens.  We receive their instruction; therefore, we make certain they can live to instruct. 

The next passage gets to the heart of our original question:  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.(Galatians 6: 7-10)
Yes, we do get weary in the process of life.  Weariness, in itself, is not wrong.  The good news is that He will not present us with opportunities that we can’t bear. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10: 13)  When the opportunity comes to serve, He will give us the ability to do what He asks.  If we neglect the opportunity He gives us we deny Him, and we have yielded to temptation.  To be caught up in prideful control, greed, or seeking our own pleasures, is to lose sight of the needs of others.  We sow; we reap.    If we neglect the needs of other we will end up on the short end of the stick. 

Therefore…

Don’t be weary in well doing…do good; seize the opportunity to do good to all people.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel.  (Proverbs 3: 27)  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.

Is there ever a stopping point?  What if the one under the burden seems to want more and more?  The leech has two daughters—Give and Give! (Proverbs 30: 15) We do need to discern real needs in contrast to felt needs, hopes, and dreams.  America has a complete social structure of leech’s daughters…3rd and 4th generation welfare.  Welfare perpetuates welfare.

Discernment is the key word, but it is also the most difficult part of the picture.  We love others and want to carry their burdens, yet how do we know how much burden to carry?  Pray for guidance; base decision making on the Ten Commandments; live Jesus’ “Law of Love”.