I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4)
The prophets of the Old Testament were people of conviction, passion, and steadfastness. They saw the wrong that was being done. They heard the voice of God proclaiming the message of warning or hope and asking them to be that voice. It was a treacherous assignment. Often they felt the ridicule, the anger, and the repercussions of those who opposed them, feared them, or hated their negativity. St. Paul was willing to go to prison for his faith.
Today we are on the Oregon Coast. We stopped in at one of our favorite lodges to inquire about a reservation for this coming summer. Heather, who has worked here for decades, spoke about the anger and rudeness of some of their guests who want the impossible. She said she had never experienced such animosity in all the time she has worked here. She spoke of her need to be strong and patient.
We stopped at a favorite park along the coast and looked out at the roaring ocean fueled with the fury of the high winds. In front of us was this tree—solid, worn, and beautiful. It has withstood the intense winds, the pounding surfs, and human efforts to mar its trunk.
As I thought about, experienced, and saw these events and images today, I reflected on what it means to be a Christian. This was my conclusion: We are called to be the spokesperson for God when our family or neighborhood or nation are going down destructive paths—to show them the dangers ahead and give them guidance to correct their course. We are to be people who respect others, who do not take our anxieties out on others, or become defeated when we seem to be the blunt of another person’s nastiness. And, we are to be solid in our trust in God when our life seems to be falling apart, to stand firm when our faith is threatened, and strong when the storms of fear and anxiety rage against us.
May you look to God who never leaves you. Find your strength and hope in God and allow God’s Spirit to work through you to bring peace and hope to others.