Turn back
Yesterday I received a call from a friend of mine who lives in the Dominican Republic. She wanted me to know she has been praying for our country to have a smooth transition of power and for things to calm down but wasn't sure "God was hearing her right now." She then went on to say that usually, when there is turmoil around the world, it is the US that steps in to help bring calm. "Who is going to be able to help you guys?" she asked.
I found myself wanting to reply and say all of this craziness isn't really us. We aren't like that. We don't riot, defame our governmental buildings (whether in DC or in Portland) and shoot horrible, dismissive stuff at each other. That's not our norm, right?!?
But…we do. As much as watching all of this unfold is shocking and embarrassing to me, I don't get to say, "we don't do this." We, as Americans, have done and do, do that. And we as Christians have helped.
Acknowledging that we are all complicit is the potential beginning of something else we really need to do: repent.
I know repent is not a very popular word these days, but I think it is one that we really need to embrace as Christians and Americans. It simply means to "turn back" from what you have been doing and go in a better direction. To leave behind what you have been doing and do something different. And I think we need to do some things different in our country. We DEFINITELY need to do some things different as Christians in our country.
I was reading James 1 this week, and it is a remarkably appropriate guide for us as Christians in our world today. In particular, James 1:19-20, 26-27 cuts deep:
My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. … If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless, and he deceives himself. Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
I am afraid I have all-too-often forgotten to apply James' words when it comes to politics in our country. It really isn't that hard for me to slip over into being self-assured about my opinions. Quick to get angry at "injustices" against me (or my side) and willing to be vocal about all of it. Especially when I am among friends that agree with me. And I know I am not alone.
James doesn't mince words here as he reminds us that our religion bears its fruit through our tongue. What we say and how we say it proves where our hearts are. It proves what really matters to us. And those words matter just as much if we are shouting down an "idiot" or "venting" to our friends. Our rhetoric has divided us, angered us, forced us to try and use that anger to "accomplish God's righteousness," and…somehow we have left God behind.
As Christians, as followers of Jesus, can I encourage you to do what I am trying to do and learn to repent. When it comes to the state of our world if you have forgotten to be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger," can you turn that around? Can we ask for forgiveness as a church, as Christians, as participants in this great country, for the ways we have lost sight of what pure and undefiled religion is? I think many of us, myself included, have let the world, its power struggles, and insidious posturing stain us. Our prayer should now be, "Jesus, come clothe me in white."
And help me watch my tongue.
We can turn back. We, as the body of Christ in our country, can model a way forward. We can unite around the selfless love Christ offered us, the forgiveness he has granted for all the stains we have picked up, and his calling to reach out to those in distress. We can learn to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger" in our churches again. And, hopefully, in our country.
Will you join me in pledging to watch your tongue, whether with friends or not? Our world needs us to. Our faith needs us to. And I know my friend down in the Dominican Republic would really like to see us figure it out, too.
I'm praying for peace, hope, and love for us all.
--Trevor Owen
Pastor of Spiritual Development
