When I was a young lad and constantly looking for trouble, my uncle took me aside and taught me how to use my fingers as a rubber band gun. As a side note, I have been told that the police were dispatched not so long ago to a report of a little boy making a pretend gun out of his fingers and concerned citizens reported him. Thankfully when the cops arrived it was empty, no rubber bands, so he just got yelled out. But as my uncle laughed, I began to hone in my new talent of rubber band shooter and got to the point that I could hit a fly on a wall several feet away. I know that is really impressive and plays a major part of where I am today but that's not my main point. You see all that practicing meant I had to have plenty of product. Dad owned an office supply store so I was covered there. And secondly I had to have targets. Once again, I had two sisters and so that was covered as well. As a little boy my job was to annoy my sisters and this was the avenue to accomplish my task. That is until the, "mean sister" began shooting her own with a plastic device you could buy that shot the rubber bands, more accurately and with more power. I quickly learned when I appeared to have a rash, turned out to be rubber band snaps, the law of "Enough already"
I bring this up because I see this now taking place among Christians. There has been a long ongoing patience and passivity as well as complacency, among modern Christianity. Those who oppose our God, or should I say Master, have been berating, abusing, and devastating the church for years. Not nearly as severe as of late. I have grown weary of rebuking fellow Christ followers because of their supposed grace, showing them Jesus' behavior as He walked through town. The funny thing is many Christians use Jesus' silence and obedience during his betrayal, beating and crucifixion as the example. Christ went willingly to the cross, silently enduring the oppressors and murderers because He knew what must be done to bring reconciliation. I don't know too many of us that have that burden on our backs. Instead, Jesus would go into the synagogues even as a young man and teach. He didn't let the money changers just keep going because He might offend someone, in fact He threw over the tables showing His zealousness for the house of God. And yes, His actions today would have been called, racist, discriminatory, hate crime or whatever else might make for a good read. But you see the thing that has been encouraging me is I am seeing Christ followers everywhere still showing grace but taking a stand, enough already. They are effectively telling others, if you don't like my God, you don't like me, and we are ok with that. We still want you to know God but you have the right to refuse and I am not going to shove it down your throat. Here is a question for you to ponder, "Who did Jesus ever chase down and "pursue" with the gospel? Yep, I came to the same conclusion.... no one. Jesus took the opportunities and when they refuse Him he let them walk away knowing He had spoken truth. Brothers and Sisters its time to let your voices be heard, unappologetically. Christianity isn't about skin color, education, gender or any of the things the trouble makers are saying it is about. It is a relationship with God, end of story. I leave you with this final rant.... Those who live in California where it was just mandated that you cannot sing in church, better make up your mind if you will follow mans law or Gods. We were created to worship and no man or woman has the power or authority to require such a thing. Unfortunately you live in a state where you have remained passive far too long, and you aren't alone. New York, Michigan, Minnesota and several others have created religious restrictions that they don't have the authority to mandate. This isn't a call for rebellion it is a call to get your priorities straight. God first. Can I hear an amen?
Till next time,
P.M.
