sigh...no more

Like many around me, I am truly breathing a sigh of relief that the bitterly contested presidency has finally been decided. In one of the most both vitriolic and garrulous election seasons, we all really need just to stop and take a huge deep breath and just...sigh. Yes, sigh. I think that is the perfect word for right now. According to The Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of sigh is,”to take a deep audible breath (as in weariness or relief),to make a sound like sighing  sighing in the branches>, grieve,yearn,”. So, I would be willing to say, that both weariness and relief is surely a feeling many of us are sharing right now. This feeling is being described and reported on the news as being “battle worn” and having “gone through the wringer”. It has been so obvious and apparent to note our many glaring divisions...our differences...the things that separate us. There is a harsh realization that our lines are drawn deep...very deep. Often times, in the heat of these battles, our beliefs and the things that give structure to our lives comes under attack. These attacks can be very personal...personal to the degree that we are reluctantly drawn into the fray. Everyone becomes a pundit and feels compelled to defend their own positions irrespective of opposing and sometimes better ideas. Nowhere was that more obvious than on social media. As election day drew closer the rhetoric increased exponentially and became a roar that assaulted us endlessly on Twitter and Facebook. We were pummeled with misinformation, deception and often outright lies in a feeble attempt to sway or shake us loose from fundamental truths previously established by Jesus. Those who consider themselves to be followers of Christ are easy targets as most everything we believe is absolutely contrary to the current political process and culture at large. Times are really no different now, in that regard, than in the time of Jesus. There is a massive effort to change culture...a battle for your soul...that becomes more obvious with every election. That change process involves manipulation, domination and control and the various media play a huge role in that. Os Hillman, in his book, Change Agent: Engaging your passion to be the one who makes a difference says,

“Most efforts to change culture (even within conservative Christianity) lead to manipulation, domination, and control. When God told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8 that they would be the head and not the tail, this would be the fruit of their obedience by fulfilling the first and greatest command to love and obey God. It was not a goal to try and achieve dominion in culture. Rather, it was the fruit of their obedience that would influence culture.”

It is abundantly clear that as a follower of Christ there comes a time that you are required to stand as Gods representative...an ambassador...a witness to timeless and life affirming truths. I'm not sure, really...but... I think that time may be now. Jesus has made it as simple for us. In Micah 6:8, it says, “ He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”. That is the thing that will heal our nation and draw us together...and we really need that right now...*sigh*

Reconnecting with compassion...

 

  As a follow up to my previous post, I decided to do something that I have never done on my blog...post a video. As you can see this is a talk given at a TED conference. As per Wikipedia..."TED talks strive to address a considerable range of topics within the research and practice of science and culture, often through storytelling. The speakers are given a maximum of 18 minutes to present their ideas in the most innovative and engaging ways they can." I found this talk very compelling and I particularly enjoyed a number of comments. One that especially  struck me was, "Compassion also brings us into the territory of mystery — encouraging us not just to see beauty, but perhaps also to look for the face of God in the moment of suffering, in the face of a stranger, in the face of the vibrant religious other.” I think one of the biggest challenges us, on a daily basis is to enter into that "territory of mystery" particularly while surrounded by the wreckage of what is left of your entire life after a catastrophic event. We focus on the loss...the material things...we focus on our suffering and many times develop a victim mentality. We become self absorbed and lose the ability to see the face of God manifest in the face of a stranger or even our suffering. Krista says, " Compassion can be synonymous with empathy..." It is difficult, if not impossible to have empathy if we are living a self centered and sense of entitlement life. We see very little beauty or marvel at the incredible way suffering is designed to bring us closer to God. She additionally points out that this necessary compassion can be expressed in the simple act of presence. This is what Jesus excelled at...entering into peoples suffering...being very present...and responding. This is a sheer impossibility if you are selfish and don't live with gratitude. There are many times that we often positively relish the trials and sufferings of others, particularly if we have made some judgement about their plight without even knowing them. We feel smug and insulated and smack our lips in delighted self congratulation that " thank God...that's not me..." This is not anything even close to compassionate. It's making a bad situation many times worse... it separates us...it divides...it draws a line. And any time you're drawing lines, you are making boundaries...us and them...lucky and unlucky...blessed and not blessed...rich and poor...black and white...have and have not. You also are drawing that line between Jesus and...yourself.

"moved with compassion"...

I am sure that like many of us, this past week, we have seen endless images of the devastation and carnage from the so called "storm of the century"...Sandy. As you might expect, especially if you know me to any small degree, I have many very different and conflicting thoughts and observations about what I am seeing and feeling. What we, away from the scene, are experiencing is well controlled by those documenting this tragedy whether it be the traditional media or the non-traditional reporters on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The traditional media is designed to tell...and sell... a story which is designed to elicit a specific emotional response in us. They are, in effect, telling a story with a certain perspective in mind and each is different. Nothing is neutral is any aspect of what they report. On the other hand, the social media reporting is, quite often, raw, spontaneous and minimally edited. We are getting a very different look at what is important and impactful...to that person. As I sit and passively watch, in the comfort of my home...the safety of my surroundings... what I am seeing feels surreal to a large degree. The sheer magnitude and scope of what has, in a matter of hours, been destroyed and lost forever is overpowering. The thing I wrestle with is  “ how should I respond ?” or even should I respond at all. There are many times in the four Gospel where we read the statement, "And Jesus was moved with compassion." That essentially means to enter into another’s suffering and to respond in an unsolicited act of mercy. In every single instance of compassion that Jesus experienced...specific action followed. He felt this compassion very deeply and immediately. He felt a great sense of urgency. He desired that something to be done...some action be taken, and so immediately, he responds. One of the things of significant note here is to realize how Jesus always responds without judging. These are people in dire and sometimes life threatening need. He doesn't hesitate or pause to judge them. Are they irresponsible? Is it their fault? No finger pointing or playing the “blame game” here. Why don't they do something for themselves? No, his heart immediately feels the pain, the suffering, the loss and the brokenness. He's feeling with them, suffering with them. That's called empathy...not sympathy...there is a big difference. Sympathy is knowing and lives in your head and empathy is sharing and comes from the heart. Empathy is a critical factor in developing community. The difference is what Jesus always did...He entered in and became present and then responded. It's personal and relational. It means to come along beside and walk in someones' shoes. More and more, we need to cultivate that spirit of compassion and empathy so that immediately, our heart goes out to those in need wherever they may be and in whatever situation is involved...and immediately we act. We need that same deep, heartfelt, gut wrenching spirit of compassion that forces us to move out of our comfort and safety of isolation. Then we have to do something about it. We are required to do something. I heard someone say recently we cannot pretend that once shown a problem that we cannot do something... one single thing...about it. Trust me, everyone can do something. If nothing else is workable for you, you can always pray. In James 5:16 it says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. I can assure that's what many of us are doing right now.

"Why do you serve ?"

There is a certain sense of arrogance that comes with doing good for someone else. There are many assumptions made about others needs and desires that, often times, lead to poor outcomes. We presume to know what is best for someone else based entirely on our subjective impressions and our own personal desires and ambitions...for them. Quite frequently we operate from the standpoint of a benefactor relationship. We are naturally self centered and sadly pursue a self centered agenda without the common courtesy of even minimally consulting those we propose to serve. We, in fact, are serving ourselves and in the long run that will not be sustainable. We will get tired...bored...and move on to the next trendy cause. When we create a dependency on ourselves and what we can bring and give it removes the importance of being dependent on God and His divine provision. This steals Gods glory and sometimes removes Him completely. Brandon Hatmaker, author of Barefoot Church, recently stated in his blog,

“We need to stop serving the poor just because it makes us feel good. We need to stop serving the poor because we like bragging about it. We need to stop serving the poor because it’s the hip thing to do right now. We need to stop serving the poor because we’re hoping God will be pleased with us. All those reasons are about us. They steal God’s glory and they will be exposed for what they are.”

It is both unfortunate and sad that there are certain erroneous perceptions of me when I go on mission trips...by both the people I hope to serve and those left behind. Much of this misunderstanding comes from well intentioned but misguided missioners that have gone before me. Based on their actions and attitudes of others a multitude of negative stereotypes are created. Sadly, I am viewed as the giver and bringer of things and the person I hope to serve the receiver. This creates a passive relationship which is very similar to the one many of us have with God. God is indeed the giver and bringer of things...our provider... but that relationship also is not sustainable if we just wait on stuff to be brought and handed to us. God desires an active relationship with us based on our dependence on Him and our presence. It is difficult to be present in any relationship where we are focused on what WE bring and what WE can get. I have really started to examine what I can be as opposed to what I can bring or do. I am coming to an understanding that what I can be is a reflection of Christ...I can be a bearer of grace that is so freely given to me. And most importantly of all, I can be present at all times in the lives of those I strive to serve. Honestly, I really don't think Jesus would want it any other way.

today I went to Haiti...

As you may already know, I just got back from a trip to Haiti. I was one of a ten person team that went and installed two water purification systems and did health teaching. As I said in a previous blog posting, I didn’t think I was ready for what I would see and feel…I wasn’t…not even close to being prepared. I am sure that is what God wanted and how He would prefer it, actually. Only several days later am I even able to write or verbalize anything about this trip. One thing I can tell you is that Haiti is a beautiful place chock full of more paradoxes than I could count. It is absolutely true there is extreme poverty yet there is a vast richness that is both subtle and obvious. However to understand this paradox one must redefine richness and how we measure it. In the US, we define richness by the amount of things and material goods we own and the nebulous idea of status based on those things. We have a "biggest pile-king of the mountain" mentality. Jesus spoke to this a lot and was very clear about the problem of selfishness of the rich, even in that time. People desperately clung to things…things that gave them comfort, security, and status. They allowed their things and position define who they were...just as we do now. Jesus knew this and He also knew how it interfered with serving others because of being bound to those things. In Matthew 19:21, it says,

  “Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 

Jesus knew. Detach from your possessions…give to the poor…and follow…just in that order. The people of Haiti have such meager possessions…some have none. All they have is the day and an amazing faith in God that, for the most part, dwarfs mine. Minute by minute…hour by hour…day by day is how the majority of Haitians live. This is why the “prosperity gospel” is false and does not play in Haiti. There is a depth of richness in the people of Haiti that is often missed with the casual interaction. They are hungry for sustained relationships...they fear abandonment. So many asked me, "when are you coming back?". This broke my heart more every time i heard it. As I told several pastors I met there, “the Haiti I have experienced this week is not the Haiti we see on TV in the US…” Indeed, people are hungry in Haiti but they are not hungry for false promises from politicians or misinformed "so called Christian" opportunist looking to take advantage of their misfortune. Many see Haiti as a project or a social science experiment and watch and wait for only the strong to survive. I read once a comment that someone made that said “put a fence around Haiti…and let Darwinism take its toll…” Obviously an uninformed comment that is neither constructive nor representative of many people. I never planned to go to Haiti but there are many places I have gone and things I have done that I did not plan. I cannot begin to unravel all that has happened in the last number of years that resulted in me being here this week. Suffice it to say, Gods’ plan and vision for my life far supersedes mine and He is continuing to write this incredible story. Away from the distractions and clutter of our lives here in the US it is easy to see and redefine what is richness and poverty. In a place of scarcity and struggle where hope strives to take root in rocky soil, God is at work. In fact, He is really… really busy.