Jonas Salk is quoted with “Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.” When I read this quote, I can’t help but ask the question: where has the hope gone.
Years ago, I did a sermon series and through the series I included the following big idea: for, not against. With the idea that the church world needed to be known more for what they were for than what they were against. I fear that we are living in times when this is often not the case. Sadly, much of the church world has taken their cues not from the Scriptures but rather they have taken their cues from culture and politics. I fear that many Christian leaders may have replaced time in their studies with time spent with their favorite cable news commentor. We must get back to the place where we, like John Wesley, strive to be known as men and women of one book and not men and women of one political persuasion.
I was born in 1979 and grew up in the height of the purity culture and culture wars. Like many in that era who were from the more conservative persuasion, there was a time when I was a disciple of Dr. James Dobson and Rush Limbaugh. When I was in my 20’s I tuned both of them out. I distinctly remember the day that I was at work and had Rush Limbaugh playing in the garage bay that I was working in. I was struck with the thought; all Rush did was make me angry. I was not full of compassion as Jesus was when He surveyed Jerusalem and wept over those who never get it. I was just mad because people were living like they would never get it.
With Dr. Dobson it was different. I have fond memories of things that came from his organization like “Adventures in Odessey” and the recommended book for my wife and I, “The Strong Willed Child.” At the same time, when I think of Dr. Dobson, I have a much different perspective than many. I know this will upset many but again please remember I am sharing my perspective that I gained as a youth. It is one that I have carried with me since the 80’s when Christian’s began reading every label in the grocery store to make sure they were boycotting the proper company. This stuck with me. Dobson to me, even as a child, represented a voice that typically sounded kind but took every opportunity he could to point how the church was under attack. During this time, his views were tied directly to politicians. For many people of my generation, we grew up believing a politician, not Jesus, was the hope of America. Some of you probably even had a friend or relative that had a picture of Ronald Reagan somewhere in their home and every two years you got a voting guide that was either mailed to your home or passed out in your church. This voting guide told you exactly how to vote and somewhere in the process you were told, this is the most important election ever.
In the mid to late 90’s there was a season where I attended a King James only Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. Here, protecting the 1611 KJV Bible was seen as more important than protecting anything else. Some refer to this not as King James only but King James ugly. There was an ugliness that existed in this isolationist cult-like corner of Christendom. I believe they truly love Jesus, and they truly will be in heaven someday but when they get there, they will be shocked to find that St. Peter isn’t going to be speaking the King’s English at the pearly gates. They will be equally as shocked when they realize that the worship in heaven might include cymbals and won’t be a collection of their favorite hymns. The most shocking of all is that they will encounter not just fundamental Baptists in heaven but will worship with people that they thought would never be there. They would see Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Charismatics, Wesleyans and others. While my first question to Jesus might be, “can you introduce me to your mom,” they will be asking “why are all these reprobates in heaven?” This may sound harsh but what I learned in this period of my life was that everyone was wrong and liberal but us.
I no longer ask Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Dobson, or Independent Fundamental Baptists for their opinions when I seek to engage with the world around me. I now ask Jesus. I look to the character, actions, and words of my Savior. Limbaugh made me angry, Dobson made me scared, and the Fundy’s made me judgmental. Jesus provides another path. I am now full of hope. I am now more compassionate. I am now more patient. I am now more forgiving. I am now more loving. I hope that I am now more like Jesus.
Above all, I am heartbroken.
I routinely pray that I would resemble Jesus who went up on the mountain top that overlooked Jerusalem and wept. Even though Jesus knew that the people in the city below would viciously murder Him, He wept over their spiritual condition and the future that awaited them. He wanted better for them. Ultimately, this broken heart, drove Him to walk back down that mountainside, walk back into Jerusalem, and walk to the cross where He would be crucified to pay for the sins of His executioners and others. There He would declare, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
I find heartbreak is a much better place to live out my life than anger. Heartbroken people tend to live lives determined to heal where anger when it sits long enough often only creates wounds and division. Jesus, the Great Physician, offers healing where much of His church offers outrage. He offers hope where those who claim to follow Him often offer judgement.
Friends, let’s not forget, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” When we do, our outrage is directed towards those that Jesus directs grace towards. May we too weep over our cities. May we too pray, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we become men and women of hope. Jesus did not just weep over the nation; He provided a solution and invited them into a right relationship with His Father. He provided hope. Restoration of humanity was no longer just a dream but a reality to be grasped. This is found in Christ alone.
Compassionate Engagement 