Today's Scripture Reading (September 12, 2024): Job 33
Many years ago, I
published a post on X (then Twitter) opposing the actions of Westboro Baptist Church.
I was immediately besieged with people who were angry that I would even mention
this Baptist Church. For them, I was being Captain Obvious. Everybody
apparently knew everything that was needed to know about this Primitive Baptist
Church. My problem was that I did not believe this was true. I also think the
evil presented by this church must be confronted.
Just after this incident
happened, I attended a Baptist ministerial meeting, which confirmed my point.
As I sat in the room discussing a local issue, one of the ministers remarked
that he didn't understand why we even had to have the discussion because "all
Baptist Churches believe the same things." I was amazed by the comment because
we didn't even agree on the topic at hand, let alone with everything else. And
the truth is that the Baptist tribe has divided over and over again because of doctrines
on which we differ.
My personal theology has
often come under friendly, or maybe not so friendly, fire in the past few
years. Other pastors in my Baptist denomination have told me that because I
believe God has called us to a ministry of love, my opinion does not matter,
and they do not want to talk to me. I am becoming okay with that, although it
has been a journey. But I don't want anyone to think they can talk me out of my
marching orders, which I feel has come straight from Jesus himself.
"A new command I give you: Love one
another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are
my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-25).
I follow Jesus and believe that the
people with whom I have contact will only know that because of my love for those around me. If I can
love, I feel that will be enough.
Some have argued that
Elihu's first statement is disappointing. He has become Captain Obvious; surely
everyone knows God is greater than any mortal. And yet, that acknowledgment
seems to be precisely what is missing from the conversation between Job and his
friends. Everyone has argued so far that they know how God thinks and have all
the answers to the situation in which Job finds himself. Maybe they needed to
be reminded that God is greater than we are. Centuries later, Isaiah would
phrase it this way:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the Lord.
"As the heavens are higher
than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Maybe Isaiah was also Captain Obvious, but I
think we still need to hear these words occasionally.
Tomorrow's Scripture
Reading: Job 34
No comments:
Post a Comment