Over the years I’ve watched poll after poll indicate that the more regularly an individual attended church, the more of a traditionalist people were. By traditionalist, the implication was the individual was more cautious in everything from their politics to their lifestyles. As a result, some people in our society have grown to equate being Christian with being an advocate of the status quo. Today’s story from Acts reminds us this wasn’t always the case, for in the story Paul & Silas get in trouble for messing with the status quo. In doing so they were accused of being dangerous “agitators subverting our Roman law and order” (Acts 16:21 – The Message). Of course this wasn’t the only time when Christians were accused of upsetting the status quo. From Jesus’ appearance in the synagogue at the age of twelve through the end of his public ministry, Jesus was constantly turning the status quo on its ear. His disciples made a practice of turning lives upside down as well. My question for you to consider today is this: has your faith compelled you to become a leading proponent of the status quo or a willing agitator? Of course, at different times in our lives we are called to be both. My greatest fear, however, is that we modern Christians will lose our willingness to claim the piece of our call that calls us to agitate and instead settle for being exclusively agents for the status quo – in our collective world and in our individual lives. I hope you’ll put my fear to rest. Til next time…
Help support the vision of Woodland Hills Community Church!
For those of you who would like to support the vision & ministry of Woodland Hills Community Church (the faith community I serve that continues to encourage me to minister outside the box), please click on the link just above.
Saturday, July 12
Over the years I’ve watched poll after poll indicate that the more regularly an individual attended church, the more of a traditionalist people were. By traditionalist, the implication was the individual was more cautious in everything from their politics to their lifestyles. As a result, some people in our society have grown to equate being Christian with being an advocate of the status quo. Today’s story from Acts reminds us this wasn’t always the case, for in the story Paul & Silas get in trouble for messing with the status quo. In doing so they were accused of being dangerous “agitators subverting our Roman law and order” (Acts 16:21 – The Message). Of course this wasn’t the only time when Christians were accused of upsetting the status quo. From Jesus’ appearance in the synagogue at the age of twelve through the end of his public ministry, Jesus was constantly turning the status quo on its ear. His disciples made a practice of turning lives upside down as well. My question for you to consider today is this: has your faith compelled you to become a leading proponent of the status quo or a willing agitator? Of course, at different times in our lives we are called to be both. My greatest fear, however, is that we modern Christians will lose our willingness to claim the piece of our call that calls us to agitate and instead settle for being exclusively agents for the status quo – in our collective world and in our individual lives. I hope you’ll put my fear to rest. Til next time…
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment