I'm Not Angry

So anyone observant, living in the world today, has probably noticed that it's not so pretty. There are a lot of tough issues that are tough to navigate, but which require a response, both as an individual but especially as a Christian.

And I'm all for some good "rabble rousing" to that effect. Nothing like some straight talk for motivation. But so much of what ought to be, and is often intended to be motivational, misses the mark. It's accusatory and belittling. It focuses on what people ought to be doing, but don't do. People who should be living a certain way, but aren't. Because there is an anxiety that the world is going to hell in a handbasket and that we ought to be doing more to stop that. There's some truth to that statement. But hell is not stronger than heaven, and never will be.

And the purpose of the post and the title of the post is the same, to inform you that I'm not angry. And I'm not angry because I'm not worried. Is there cause to be worried? Certainly. Is there cause for despair? Usually. Would it be easier to give up? Always.

But I'm not going to do any of those things. Because I know the truth. And the truth is just like the old adage that says you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. (As much as people nark on all things traditional, there is wisdom to be gleaned from those who came before us, and much is written off far too easily with our smug superiority and notions of progress)

Because the truth is - God is love. And the nature of love is that it cannot be forced. You will get absolutely nowhere by demanding that people behave like good Christians. You can certainly try it. But it won't be effective and there is a serious danger of becoming very cynical about human nature in the process. Because true Christianity is an invitation, it is a call to come and be absolutely transformed by the overflowing love of God. And invitations go two ways. You respond "yes", or you respond "no". And who would respond "yes" to someone who is angry or to someone who is making hard demands and expecting them to be followed through with machine-like precision and absolute perfection? Not me, nor my friends, not me...

Because I'm stubborn, remember? I can rarely be obedient unless I trust the person I'm obeying. And it would be hard to trust the person I just described, the angry person., or the God who is only justice, and not mercy. I think that's why Jesus is divine mercy; as human as the rest of us, He understands. His heart is where the love of God and the justice of God meet, and it's name is mercy...And I'll take it.

As much as He is willing to give me. Because I trust Jesus more than I trust the smartest, happiest, most successful person on earth (which, ironically, if you're willing to take off your microbic human eyeglasses and view from a more cosmic perspective, is probably Jesus too- but I was thinking more in terms of self-help/businessman/celebrity culture when I wrote the phrase).

And therein lies the importance of the Christian witness. Because your life is not just about your acts, it is about your very being. Your whole life, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, should be a witness to your invitation, your call to love. People should see your daily "yes" to receiving the love of God and the transformative peace and joy it brings you. Because it is your "yes" to God, like in the beginning of the New Testament with Mary the mother of God, that ultimately decides your destiny.