Social media and news networks are buzzing following President Barack Obama's historic statement in support of gay marriage. Passions are high, emotions intense, and battle cries for both sides reverberate around the country. To be completely honest, I had to shut off my computer and walk away yesterday. I'm on "light technology" duty today, meaning that apart from an occasional e-mail check and the writing of this blog post, I'm staying away from Facebook and Twitter.
I can't stand to watch Christians tear each other apart. I can't stand how uncivilized we are behaving. I am appalled by the message we are sending to the world.
In the book Choosing Civility, P.M. Forney offers many rules and suggestions for giving the gift of civility to others. One of those rules is "Don't Speak Ill," which is built off of our human tendency to point out the shortcomings of others. We do this because pointing out what we think ails others is easier and less painful than dealing with our own stuff. But to live in this uncivilized way is to inflict violence on those around us in an effort to spare ourselves. Jesus addresses this in Matthew 7:4-5. He says, "Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye."
The church in the United States is crumbling from within. Our numbers are declining. Our buildings are deteriorating. Many congregations can no longer afford full-time pastors. In-fighting, disagreements, and straight-up apathy for the good news of Jesus is killing congregations. And we focus on gay marriage as we are falling apart? We picket, lobby, and speak forcefully to try and get the United States to govern by the assertions of one segment of society. We rally around those who speak eloquently and unashamedly because we feel safety when we are surrounded by those with like opinions.
I'm not going to do it. I'm not going to give in to the frenzy and be swept up by the largest distraction to come across the American church's radar in many years. Instead, I want my focus to be on things like this:
*49.1 million people in the United States are living in poverty
"How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." --
1 John 3:17-18
*Bullied teenagers in America take their own lives because they see no way out
"Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." -- Proverbs 31:8-9
*34 million people are living with AIDS
"'I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me'...and the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'" -- Matthew 25:36, 40
*1 in 4 girls are sexually abused by the age of 18
"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea." -- Matthew 18:6
*There are over 123,000 orphans in the United States alone
"Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." --Isaiah 1:17
*Body image disorders are on the rise in teens
"For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." -- Psalm 139:13-14a
*Many people feel unlovable
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." -- John 3:16
*48 million Americans are food-insecure
"When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be left for the alien, the orphan, and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all your undertakings." -- Deuteronomy 24:19
*1 in 6 people in the world lack clean drinking water
"Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." -- Isaiah 55:1
On that day when Christ returns in his glory, I highly doubt the first question on his lips will be, "Did you lobby in support of Amendment 1?" The church is not crumbling because of American legislation for or against gay marriage. It is crumbling because we have forgotten our fundamental calling to be the hands and feet of Christ in a broken and fallen world so loved by God. Rather than casting stones at others, let's take a deep look at ourselves. Where is our passion for God's good news? How are we serving? Are we giving and living generously? Who are we waking alongside? Whose needs are we meeting?
God promises that God's Word will not return void. So, let's get out there and share it - by our words, and especially by our deeds.
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