When there is news or an announcement that is profoundly compelling there is also a sense of ethical and moral responsibility to communicate that news or announcement to those who would potentially be affected. That is why our early warning systems concerning hurricanes, tornados and thunderstorms (and even to a slight degree, earthquakes) are so helpful. That is why birth announcements and wedding announcements are so amazing… they help us prepare for the future by doing things today.
Therefore, if we have news and announcements concerning the biggest story in all of history, we ought to be engaged in telling that story with vigor and with compassion. You see, the story of God in relation to mankind is a story that makes a difference in every way and at all times. That story is one that is not distant to us but it is upfront and personal. It is not a story that we should ignore nor is it one that we ought to compete with. It is a story that we can gladly cooperate with. However, somehow our culture has decided that God is either irrelevant or antagonistic to us. Somehow, or maybe someone has suggested that God is actually harsh and inadequate when in reality God is infinite and intimate.
The problem then might not be with God, but with mankind. What have we done to ourselves and to others to alienate yourselves from God… and from one another? What has happened that has twisted life out of the shape it originally had? How have we come to this place of such conflict in us, around us, and between us? How did God seemingly get so distant from our day to day reality? How did God get segregated from our lives? Who did that? How did life get so messed up?
If God actually is infinite and intimate, then the problem must lie at the feet of those who are not infinite and intimate. The tragedy then impacts us all with devastating force. That then calls for compassion and clarity.
As we continue our series of Find Your Focus, this week we will look at the nature of mankind in relation to the nature of God. This will be a defining week for us all.
Your bro,