In this hotly contested political race, it really seems to be any man's-- or woman's-- game. Hillary and Obama are pulling out all the stops to win the hearts of women-- conservative women in Iowa and African-American women in South Carolina. Mitt Romney and the meteorically rising Huckabee are making it clear that they are the "candidate of choice" for Christians. Mother Rodham and daughter Chelsea are making nice little "3 generations of women" appearances for Hillary. Oprah is preaching like a wannaba prophet with a scary Darth Vader-like quality that "Obaaaaama is 'the ooooone.'" Romney confesses that Jesus is the Savior. Huckabee can only attribute his success to the One who fed 5000 with 3 fish and 5 loaves.
Whoa, a revelation. I recently realized that they are all aiming their comments at me. A black woman. A Christian. A voter who listens and pays attention. They like me! They really like me! Okay, maybe not, but they need me! The second realization I had was this: We don't have to fit their mold. They need to fit ours. We don't have to sacrifice character for policy. We don't have to go along with foolishness that goes against beliefs we hold dear. Black people aren't limited to voting for Democrats. Christians aren't limited to voting for whatever Republican they think will beat Clinton. No more. Now, we just have to figure out what to do with our new freedom. We have to get the news out to "them." Let them know what WE want-- not what we will agree to. Hmm. I'm working on that. I can't get caught up in the attention... but it sure is nice...
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Be careful... Don't you fall!
What in the world is going on?
As a young(er) Christian, I used to look at people who blatently made decisions to walk contrary to what God said and think, "I will never do that. How can you just disobey like that? How can you just choose to behave so poorly? Nope. Not me. Not that." I could understand making a mistake. I could understand a slip-up. I could NOT understand the audacity one must possess to hear and comprehend the word of the Lord and knowingly refuse to follow. As a single woman looking forward to marriage, I would look at married couples who reflected less than the "Church and Christ" model and think, I'm never going to have that kind of marriage. Things may not always be rosy, but I will honor my vows. I did not feel that I was better than these people, but I was sure that I would make better decisions. Now, years later, I have seen people that I have known and loved fall into various sins. I've seen couples that I thought were solid in their faith and in their devotion to one another call it quits. Now what? I began to realize that these weren't hedonistic, uncaring people. These were real Christians with a heart after God. What was the difference between them and me? There was none. That gave me pause. I realized that people don't plan to fall into sin. They don't plan to get divorced. Then, I became concerned. If it could happen to them, it could happen to me. That's when my response changed from "how could they" to "help me NOT do that." I have since realized that sin doesn't just happen. My former pastor put it best. "People often quote the Word and fake helplessness saying, 'sin lieth at the door.' Yes, but you've got to realize that it has to come down your street, into your yard and up onto your porch before it gets to your door." This means that there are several steps that are taken before one enters into sin-- and the Holy Spirit is there at every step telling you stop. Boiling that proverbial frog. The water heats up slowly and before he realizes that he's in trouble, it's too late. The earlier that you-- that WE listen and obey, the easier it is to turn away and the less damage we incur. That still, small voice that tells us, "Don't give that person your number." We say, it's okay, that's not a big deal-- one step. The Spirit says, "Don't share such intimate information." We say, "we're both adults, and we're friends--" another step. Spirit: "Meet at a restaurant or a library. Don't go to that house alone." We say, "we're just meeting about business. Nothing will happen--" step-step. Spirit: "Leave NOW." We say, "That would be awkward. I don't want to offend. I'm sure that comment wasn't meant to be suggestive--" step-step-step. Spirit: "When there's nothing left to say, say 'GOODBYE.'" We say, "I didn't realize how attractive my friend is. Hmmm--" GIANT steps. Now, even if it ends here (which it probably wouldn't), lines have been crossed that are impossible to take back and there are difficulties that will have to be dealt with in future dealings with the person. If we stop heeding the voice of the Spirit, we are headed for destruction. We can try to justify our actions, but we aren't going to convince God that He is overreacting and WE know best. How ridiculous! He knows our frame. That's why we have to practice obedience in small things. Disobedience is not only in what we do, but what we don't do. It's the same small voice you ignore when it tells you to read the Word, to confess your weaknesses, to clean your room, etc. Be faithful over little, He'll make you ruler over much.
As a young(er) Christian, I used to look at people who blatently made decisions to walk contrary to what God said and think, "I will never do that. How can you just disobey like that? How can you just choose to behave so poorly? Nope. Not me. Not that." I could understand making a mistake. I could understand a slip-up. I could NOT understand the audacity one must possess to hear and comprehend the word of the Lord and knowingly refuse to follow. As a single woman looking forward to marriage, I would look at married couples who reflected less than the "Church and Christ" model and think, I'm never going to have that kind of marriage. Things may not always be rosy, but I will honor my vows. I did not feel that I was better than these people, but I was sure that I would make better decisions. Now, years later, I have seen people that I have known and loved fall into various sins. I've seen couples that I thought were solid in their faith and in their devotion to one another call it quits. Now what? I began to realize that these weren't hedonistic, uncaring people. These were real Christians with a heart after God. What was the difference between them and me? There was none. That gave me pause. I realized that people don't plan to fall into sin. They don't plan to get divorced. Then, I became concerned. If it could happen to them, it could happen to me. That's when my response changed from "how could they" to "help me NOT do that." I have since realized that sin doesn't just happen. My former pastor put it best. "People often quote the Word and fake helplessness saying, 'sin lieth at the door.' Yes, but you've got to realize that it has to come down your street, into your yard and up onto your porch before it gets to your door." This means that there are several steps that are taken before one enters into sin-- and the Holy Spirit is there at every step telling you stop. Boiling that proverbial frog. The water heats up slowly and before he realizes that he's in trouble, it's too late. The earlier that you-- that WE listen and obey, the easier it is to turn away and the less damage we incur. That still, small voice that tells us, "Don't give that person your number." We say, it's okay, that's not a big deal-- one step. The Spirit says, "Don't share such intimate information." We say, "we're both adults, and we're friends--" another step. Spirit: "Meet at a restaurant or a library. Don't go to that house alone." We say, "we're just meeting about business. Nothing will happen--" step-step. Spirit: "Leave NOW." We say, "That would be awkward. I don't want to offend. I'm sure that comment wasn't meant to be suggestive--" step-step-step. Spirit: "When there's nothing left to say, say 'GOODBYE.'" We say, "I didn't realize how attractive my friend is. Hmmm--" GIANT steps. Now, even if it ends here (which it probably wouldn't), lines have been crossed that are impossible to take back and there are difficulties that will have to be dealt with in future dealings with the person. If we stop heeding the voice of the Spirit, we are headed for destruction. We can try to justify our actions, but we aren't going to convince God that He is overreacting and WE know best. How ridiculous! He knows our frame. That's why we have to practice obedience in small things. Disobedience is not only in what we do, but what we don't do. It's the same small voice you ignore when it tells you to read the Word, to confess your weaknesses, to clean your room, etc. Be faithful over little, He'll make you ruler over much.
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