Radical Love in the midst of terror

Yesterday people in Orlando experienced one of the most hateful and evil acts of humankind.  There is no justification for what happened—no matter how hard we try to figure out why.

There is no justification for what happened. Nothing will make this understandable.  Presumably the victims were Latin and gay, male and female.  One person made the determination to act and put human beings through hours of terror that will last their lifetimes.  

In the meantime, the candidates for president of both parties are using this as a talking point—finding the opportunity to take another stand against their opponents.  In one interview a candidate said that we need to stop immigrants from Syria—the shooter was born in New York, and his parents were born in Afghanistan.  One candidate is upset because the other won’t call it radical Islam and the other is accusing the other because they won’t call it a hate crime.

The reality is, 50 people lost their lives and 50 plus were physically injured.  Countless are emotionally and spiritually changed forever.  One person took it upon themselves to cause this kind of pain.  

In the midst of the nightmare of evil, God’s grace and kingdom continue to shine.  We saw lines on TV of people standing in line for over 5 hours in order to donate blood.  Islamic leaders of Orlando clarified that this act is not in accord with the love taught by the Islamic faith.  Families are comforting other families. I ask myself what I can do.

I believe that we as Christians are called to be radical—and that word does not mean violent!  I use the word radical to mean that we need to go to the extreme of our faith, beyond what is comfortable and love as Jesus loves.  The command was to love God, and love our neighbor as ourselves.  Our neighbors are defined by our Sunday School kids as everyone-it seems only when we come to adulthood that neighbor narrows.

And when we love with this radical love of Jesus, there will be no fear.  I believe that at the root of hate is fear, that of which we do not understand.  1 John speaks to love, there is no fear in love. There are those who want us to live in fear; but when we do, we can’t live in love.  

As I read “Rediscover Jesus,” I am moved to embrace the love Jesus had for people.  There was no fear.  Yes, he spoke out against behavior that was not helpful to the community, toward those who used law over love.  In the end, it is love, radical love that led Jesus to the cross for all people.  All people-I don’t read any not included in the parenthesis. 

There will continue to be acts of evil done in the name of whatever or whoever.  People will continue to do evil things even in the name of God- whether we know God as Jehovah, Elohim, Jesus, or Allah—God does not call us to hate.   We don’t combat evil with evil, we fight with love.  So I suggest we put on Christ, the armor of God, and love, radically love. 

Middle of Synod Assembly Experience

One of the great joys (that is an over exaggeration) is to attend the annual synod assembly.  This year, Tom and Sue from church joined me.  It is fun to see how they experience the church at a level that we don't often see in the congregation.  We realize, and are reminded that the church is bigger than just us; and yet we are part of the church and the witness to Jesus.

It is also a time for me to catch up with colleagues I don't see very often.  Tonight some of us sat around a table at dinner, with Sue and Tom--and I don't think they were too put off by some of the stories these church leaders shared--funny stories, not bad stories.

Our current bishop instituted one afternoon of "tracks" --so Tom and Sue went to Bethlehem church here in Grand Rapids and painted a mural.  I stayed back and went to a mission track where Living Water Ministries reviewed their past couple years with intentional and deliberate study of the mission and vision, making hard decisions, but now seeing growth.

All this said, I have some ideas roaming around in my head on how to share with the congregation what our church on the larger scale does as a witness and how we are participating in the changing of the world.

Sometimes it is just a new environment, talking to others, laughing and dreaming, and the vision comes more into focus.

Communication and the POWER of the word

Matthew 12:35-37  The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. ³⁶I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; ³⁷for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Tonight I was reminded of how sensitive communication in this age of social media and "talk" without being face to face can be.  In an email, I responded to another email--no intent but to acquire information and to help determine if there was anything I could think of to address the concerns. 

Tonight these questions were addressed, but I found that instead of my intent of gathering information, my questions were seen as a threat and accusing of something that I certainly did not intend.  I know that I am responsible for what I say, and in many ways responsible for what people understand me to say.  However, how can I take that responsibility when I don't know how these words are received?  I was blindsided tonight, accused of some things that I take great offense to, and now with a couple hours since it occurred calming down enough to move forward.

Email, texting, facebook conversations serve their purpose--but they don't serve every purpose.  I made a mistake of utilizing email in response to an email.  That may make sense to do, but I know better, at least I thought I did.  What I asked with little emotion but concerned was received in a totally different way.  Without tone of voice, body language, "conversation"-my email was received in a way I did not intend. 

But it is so easy to just shoot an email or a text, or post--but the follow up to the misunderstanding of said sent could take up more time and energy than it would if I had just called or scheduled a meeting. 

I am sorry for my part in this, and at the same time hurt by what was said tonight.  In part I understand, but that doesn't help with the feelings. 

So now I recommit to listening, which means I have to hear with my ears.  Not my fingers or reading between lines.  Words and tongues hurt, they can steer us in directions we do not wish to go.  This may take more time, and responses won't come as quick--but that may not be all bad.

So I ask for prayers, for forgiveness of myself and for hurt words I heard.  Begin now, and don't read anything into this or "try to figure out what I'm talking about."  Just take it as a lesson learned and shared.  And next time you consider texting, messaging, emailing--ask yourself before you hit send--how could someone else receive this--is there anyway it could be misinterpreted?  Be responsible for your words--for they can justify or condemn you!

Pastor Julie