I am heartbroken! Heartbroken to the point of tears, my eyes were dewy for a couple days, (I know, I’ve been called a bleeding heart many times) and I wrestled with posting this or saying anything because some people won’t like it, and we all want to be liked. In fact, I kinda hope no one reads this, maybe I’ll bury it somehow, or delete it after a day or so. But I feel like I need to say it. And listen, I’m not trying to make anyone upset but… Y’ALL! (Insert loud grunt)
The world is on fire in 2021! As I write this, a deadly pandemic (Covid-19) has taken the lives of over six hundred thousand Americans. We are in a pandemic, and since the beginning of the pandemic alcohol sales have soared, anecdotally, we see more young people dying of fentanyl overdoses than we have in the last 3 years or so. Climate change is producing hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and death that we haven’t seen before. People are openly admitting to going to therapy now — when I was younger, that was something only “crazy people” did. This is because people are living with anxiety and depression, and are open about it, some people are taking their own lives. People are openly, and loudly telling us how depressed they are!
Here is what breaks my heart, I know, none of this is new. The world has been on fire before, depression, anxiety, hopelessness is not new but what is so egregious to me is how down right smug and dismissive we are by saying “well the Lord is coming back soon” Indicating we will be leaving these nut cases behind. What is especially hurtful is the very myopic, dare I say bigoted stance “Oh my goodness these new non-binary, gay, trans yada yada…we have work to do”. I mean WHY is THIS even a focus with everything happening in the world?? UGH! (Screams in Times New Roman) You can insert whatever other dumb hateful bias you have in those quotes above, but I’m just going to remind you the Cause of OUR being.
The Cause of our Being (Because) What is my BECAUSE?
We’ve all had the thought, “What are we here for” I know I have. I’ve posed this question to parental figures, professors, mentors, church leaders and even God, himself. This may be the one of humanities biggest questions. Or maybe just mine. But as the world changes, becomes hotter, (in more ways than one) more volatile, and more deadly, my ego tends to shrink, I mean the pentagon basically confirmed UFOs, and I realize the world and universe is so much bigger and it’s not all about me. I start saying things like, how can I help? What can I do? Where can I make a positive contribution? I start thinking there must be a cause to our being (our collective BE-Cause) Even spiritually, I ask what is God saying in this?
Let’s look at what Jesus said His was… Luke 4: 18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
What is OUR BECAUSE? Jesus told us the Spirit was upon him to do very specific things, things that directly effect and SERVE humanity.
I’m disappointed we’ve reduced the Spirit of the Lord to a weekly dance and an emotional high. But we’ve been called to a generation that is hurting, depressed, anxious and even suicidal. Our call is to serve humanity, ALL humanity with compassion, empathy and love – Please don’t come with “yeah but tough love” go sit down with that. You will never draw people with your hateful antagonizing. Look, all I really want to say is if your MINISTRY doesn’t allow for everyone to be served, literally go SAT DOWN. (Yes SAT down like the old people used to say) There are those of us who CARE about the hurting, who will minister and SHOW love to EVERYONE who needs Jesus. I mean that IS the Goal, right? Or is the goal creating, more church robots, who jump up in formation like synchronized swimmers when the organist hits the right G chord? I’m tired of it. Don’t invite me to your elite social club for the churchiest of the churchy. I’ll be hanging out with Jesus, probably talking to some “sinner” having a laugh riot and eating good food!
To end, some of us are mean bigots, and only want and to serve an insulated group of people who agree with us. I know you’re not a bad person, I know you’re a believer, but church social club behavior has been pervasive, and I’d like to challenge you to ask yourself “why is the Spirit of the Lord upon ME?” (If He is) then, once you have your answer, write out this sentence “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me BECAUSE_____________”
Anyway, I’d love to hear what YOUR BECAUSE is. You can reply here, or tweet me @JudahPreacher or email Judahpreacher@aol.com
Anybody else feel this way?? Just me??
JudahPreacher's Blog 