Itʼs in our nature, isnʼt it, to say - “Itʼs ironic...” or “coincidence” when weʼve been thinking about something in our minds - anything, any subject - and then get “nudges” from the people we encounter, the movies and art that we see, the music we hear, and all the other circumstances in the daily routines of our lives?
But is it irony, really? Donʼt they remind us...push us to continue to form our opinions or to take action. Isnʼt life and our relationship with God, for that matter deeper than coincidence? I believe that when Jesus promised that weʼd have a Helper and Counselor to speak to us, move us, lead us, and convict us, he meant EVERYWHERE we go and EVERYTHING we do. Not just church, not just Christian stores full of Christian art and media....but none of us are strangers to the words, “through redeemed eyes”, so Iʼll just get to the song for the week!
I ♥ this song. The “musician” in me digs the jam with the drums and bass... but the “writer/lyricist” in me always makes me pay special attention to the words. And like I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, I had the “typical” initial thought... “well, thatʼs ironic!”. Hereʼs why:
I have been thinking a lot about social justice and how the scope of injustice just seems to get bigger and BIGGER as time moves on. A trusted friend told me to read a book called Starving Jesus where authors, Gross and Mahon challenge their readers to move in areas of compassion ministries and social justice.Their book is a rally cry to Christians across all denominations and all ages to get “off the pew, [and] into the world.” Itʼs worth the read! I have also been rediscovering Derek Webbʼs discography and had stumbled onto these lyrics:
so what must we do - here in the west we want to follow you - we speak the language and we keep all the rules - even a few we made up - come on and follow me - but sell your house, sell your suv - sell your stocks, sell your security - and give it to the poor - what is this, hey whatʼs the deal - I donʼt sleep around and I donʼt steal - I want the things you just canʼt give me.
(Click for all about Derek Webb: http://www.musictory.com/music/Derek+Webb)
Pretty convicting song for us N. Americanʼs who think we have this “church” thing figured out. All of this pointed me to biblical truths about what God expects from us when dealing with poverty. Lovers of mercy and justice. Because God loves justice and mercy.
So, thatʼs where I was mentally and spiritually when this song, Everybody started playing on my Pandora station. The lyrics that caught my focus were:
Live for yourself and you will live in vain
You live for others you will live again
You're either enemy or you are the friend
You're talking talking we'll be glad when you're done
Ain't what you say it's what you do with your love
Everybody Everybody Everybody Everybody
Get up get out and do something, go do your part start chipping in
Everybody (Yeah Yeah)
This is someone, outside of the perceived “Faith” communities (labeled “secular”) calling for social justice from EVERYBODY. Hereʼs the music video if you want to hear the song again. (Remember, “redeemed eyes”, people...some social justice examples expressed may not be agreeable to all).
Our world is increasingly divided between rich and poor. The Bible is clear that Godʼs people have always had a responsibility to see that EVERYBODY in their society was cared for at a basic-needs level.
Ruth was able to glean wheat from Boazʼs field because God had instructed those who controlled the land " to not harvest everything, so that there would be food for the poor."
Paul pleaded, “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed,” he wrote, “but " that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their " plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: ʻThe one who gathered much did not " have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too littleʼ” (8:13-15, TNIV).
For Christians, this is a justice issue or, or even more, a moral issue. It is not our fault that people are poor, diseased, starving, and thirsty... but it is our responsibility to do something about it. So, Iʼm left with a desire to change my thinking. To focus on doing my part. Like really doing it. Not just writing checks every month to the kids we sponsor. Not just serving from time to time at a homeless shelter, or throwing a “buck” at the drunk guy at our intersection. These things are great. If youʼre doing them...keep doing them. But at what point do we really understand the weight of the story of the rich young ruler? And what do we do with that?
Alison Brown