Saturday, February 21, 2009

An Undeserving Nation

When you hear the name Jonah, what comes to mind? Probably a big fish. That’s pretty much all I could pull up about the story of Jonah until I set my mind to further study. Now if you’re a biblical scholar, you probably should be reading someone else’s blog. But if you’re like me, you don’t lack intellectual promise but are far from realizing your potential in understanding the Holy Scriptures. No big deal, you say? Take another look at the state of the union and then try to convince me. The time has never been more crucial for Christians to absorb and apply God’s Word.

So what do I think of now, after further study, when I think of Jonah? I think of a man unworthy to be used by God, a gifted man who was born among the chosen people of God and proud of it. He lacked compassion and mercy for those who were not like him, and did not hesitate to tell God how he felt. He ran from God, whined to God, argued with God and avoided His calling.

What did God do about it? He chastised him, rescued him, used him and continued to teach him. What a loving God! Jonah knew how loving and kind God was, and ironically that’s exactly why he ran from serving Him. Jonah selfishly hated the idea of God showing mercy to an undeserving nation, and even more so, for God to use him in the process.

Conservative Christians, may we ask God to reveal in our own hearts such selfishness! Is it possible that we don’t like the idea of God showing mercy to the undeserving and especially in asking us to be personally involved? After all, their ways are wicked! They have fostered relationships with evildoers! They have chosen death over life and foster fear over hope!

Who are we to have been chosen by God to be a part of his royal family for eternity, but not put on His love, compassion, kindness and mercy, even for those we deem unworthy? And who are we to declare the unworthiness of anyone?

We have a lot of negative to say about our nation and leaders right now. Perhaps rightfully so. But our godly judgment of the circumstances must not create such pride and self-centeredness that we would fail to desire God’s mercy for all people, and fail to be available for Him to use us in the process. If we become so self-seeking as to abhor the idea of God showering His compassion on our own fellow citizens, even refusing God’s directions for our individual involvement, we just show how undeserving of His favor we ourselves are.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

What Would You Do?

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Each day we are faced with millions, and that’s not an exaggeration. There are the more obvious decisions – what to wear, what to eat, whether or not to make that dreaded phone call, etc. And then there are the less obvious, but perhaps the more important ones – how will I respond to this situation, what I will choose to say, will I take time to listen to him or her, what will I do….

There’s a TV show on ABC this season called “What Would You Do?” It’s all about the decisions of people. The other day I caught a few minutes of an episode in which they placed a very real-looking baby doll in a car seat and left it locked alone in a car, accompanied only by recorded sounds of an infant’s helpless cries. It was amazing how many people walked by uncaring or even oblivious to the would-be dangerous happening.

There were those few, however, who were so moved out of compassion for the life inside that they immediately responded to rescue the child. Some called 911. Others began combing the crowds for the baby’s mother. When the pseudo-mom arrived on the scene, each of these who were filled with compassion for the child did not hesitate to unleash their righteous anger on the woman. The “mother”, an actress, responded with indifference which proved to heighten the Good Samaritan’s horror and pleas for care and responsibility. What would you do?

Likely, you would claim to respond like those above filled with compassion for the life of the child. However, is it possible there are thousands of decisions a day that beg our compassionate response to which we turn away and harden our hearts? I have a dreaded feeling this is true. Sadly, I predict that all too often we choose our own comfort and complacency over compassion for others.

I read something interesting today in Amos 1:11 that caught my attention. This verse conveys that Edom had transgressed against God by stifling his compassion. His violent acts and angry rampages, and likely those of his descendents in the country bearing his name, were a direct result of and happened “while he stifled his compassion.” And in doing so, he “maintained his fury.” What deadly decisions were made in the mind of man! By choosing to suppress the God-given ability to feel empathy for others, Edom consequently chose to sustain rage. It was a decision.

In our family, we remind ourselves and each other often that each of us is just one bad decision away from disaster. Decisions are crucial, and perhaps none more important than those that involve compassion for others. Jesus felt compassion for people, and showed compassion in many ways, the greatest of which was in giving His life for us on the cross. Ironically He said, “I desire compassion, and not sacrifice.” (Matt 9:13, NASB) Yet His sacrifice was the greatest act of compassion in history. But it was because of His compassion for us that His sacrifice was made. “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col 3:12), because He first had compassion for us.

Stifle compassion, and sustain complacency, bitterness, even fury? Or stifle such self-centered, negative feelings, and sustain compassion? What would you do?