“I want to make a confession.” That was the first thing Jack said to me after we introduced ourselves. Jack was in his mid 20s. The hospital chaplain had contacted me because Jack wanted to see a minister.
The Christmas music sets the expectation for a happy, merry, joyful season. But today I want us to give some consideration to those among us who just can’t manage the Christmas spirit. Christmas is not a happy time for everybody.
This would be a less disturbing story if it did not end with the bit about “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Yet this is not just any story. Jesus is describing the kingdom of heaven. God’s kingdom demands responsible action from its citizens. According to Jesus, inaction results in exclusion.
Harry Emerson Fosdick dealt with the difficult subject of unanswered prayer in his classic work, The Meaning of Prayer. In the chapter on unanswered prayer, he offers several explanations.
When I read Habakkuk's complaint, I find I am not alone. He too complained to God about violence in his time. He was concerned about victims. He said, “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you ‘violence!’ and you will not save?”
“Don’t just stand there, do something!” When God’s will is clear for us, we should take action. But there are also many times, when God’s word is not clear and we do not understand God’s will for us. Then what? "Don’t just do something, stand there."
Micah exposed the corruption of business leaders, who exploited the weak. He condemns the priests and prophets for being in it only for the money. But he reserves his most scathing criticism for the hollow religious practices of his day.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Familiar words. Perhaps you memorized them in Sunday School, or perhaps you saw them on the wall of the Library of Congress (they are inscribed there.)
ACT, LOVE, WALK. That’s God’s short list. They’re all action words--all verbs, and imperative verbs at that. They’re verbs that ask the questions What, How and Who. What are you DOING? How and who are you LOVING? With Whom are you WALKING?
Pikeville was a very interesting place during the gigantic earth-moving project. It must have been fascinating to watch as they literally removed a mountain on the edge of town and then rerouted the river and the railroad around the city.