Nelson Mandela was on the news this morning. I find the story of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu fascinating and inspiring. The country was torn apart by racism, injustice and violence. Yet when given a chance, they chose to do a new thing. Rather than perpetuate the violence with vengeance, rather than let the accusations roll on down through the centuries, they chose to clear the air and offer amnesty for those who chose to tell the truth about what they had done through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Talk about thinking outside the box.
We could sure stand to learn a lesson from this in our country. Currently we seem to be stuck in a two party political system that puts party before people. We seem to be stuck with politics that have everything to do with power and little to do with justice and compassion. We are increasingly disillusioned with our government and cynical about our own power to do anything to affect change. What if we tried out some creative thinking? What if we encouraged our government officials to declare publicly and honestly that they would no longer vote according to party lines? Okay, maybe that one is a little unrealistic but how about this one: what if we, as constituents, declare that no one will be reelected who does not vote for a spending cap on campaign funds? What if "we the people" own up to the power we have in a democratic system, find what "we the people" agree upon instead of what divides us and demand such sensible change from our politicians? What if creativity, compassion and unity define the politics of "the people" regardless of what defines our politicians? Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu taught us that the road to change is not easy but a new thing can happen. How about we set aside cynicism and work together to change our world? Nah, it'll never work.
"But Jesus looked at them and said, 'For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.'” (Matthew 19:26, NRSV)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Prayer
It was my plan to have my first post on this blog be about the Super Bowl. It seemed appropriate "faith from the field" and all. But, something is weighing on my mind today. I think I need to write about it. Or I may just be avoiding cleaning my house. I wouldn't be surprised if you will be able to gauge the cleanliness of my house by how prolific I am in my writing on this blog. If I write a lot, I am probably avoiding something. Knowing me, odds are decent I am avoiding cleaning. I will choose to take a less cynical view of myself today and believe that God is calling me to the keyboard.
I had a conversation this morning with a wonderful woman who is going through some very stressful times. In this particular situation, as far as I know, the only thing I can do to help is pray.
Prayer has been a difficult topic for me over the years. After all, I have prayed for the safety of a loved one only to have him die. I have seen countless other prayers go unanswered in terrifically painful ways. Of course, some would say, "God always answers prayers but sometimes the answer is no." This doesn't work for me. Scripture says, "ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. (Matthew 7:7, KJV)" It doesn't say "ask and I'll think about it." "Seek and you might find." "Knock and I'll either open the door or slam it in your face." If we take seriously the words of scripture and then look at the reality of the world, it seems scripture could not possibly be true. Our prayers often are not answered. At least that is the way it seems.
Recently I have found a lot of hope in science. Quantum physicists find that in the quantum world all sorts of things are true that seem impossible. If that is true in the world of science, how much more must it be so with God. Just because it seems impossible that our prayers make a difference does not mean it is not true. Though the evidence of our eyes tells us otherwise, though our minds can not fathom it, yet I believe: our prayers are powerful. I don't understand it, yet I believe it to be true. So, I will pray. Many others will pray. And the wonderful mystery of God will some way be at work.
We'll get to the Super Bowl later. And now, alas, I must go clean. Uggh.
I had a conversation this morning with a wonderful woman who is going through some very stressful times. In this particular situation, as far as I know, the only thing I can do to help is pray.
Prayer has been a difficult topic for me over the years. After all, I have prayed for the safety of a loved one only to have him die. I have seen countless other prayers go unanswered in terrifically painful ways. Of course, some would say, "God always answers prayers but sometimes the answer is no." This doesn't work for me. Scripture says, "ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. (Matthew 7:7, KJV)" It doesn't say "ask and I'll think about it." "Seek and you might find." "Knock and I'll either open the door or slam it in your face." If we take seriously the words of scripture and then look at the reality of the world, it seems scripture could not possibly be true. Our prayers often are not answered. At least that is the way it seems.
Recently I have found a lot of hope in science. Quantum physicists find that in the quantum world all sorts of things are true that seem impossible. If that is true in the world of science, how much more must it be so with God. Just because it seems impossible that our prayers make a difference does not mean it is not true. Though the evidence of our eyes tells us otherwise, though our minds can not fathom it, yet I believe: our prayers are powerful. I don't understand it, yet I believe it to be true. So, I will pray. Many others will pray. And the wonderful mystery of God will some way be at work.
We'll get to the Super Bowl later. And now, alas, I must go clean. Uggh.
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