Prophet
The work of a prophet is a lonely job. I mean, who wants to be around someone who always sees bad things? Those of us doing this gig are not at the top of most people's "invite to parties" lists. I've heard more than one person describe me as "Ol' Gloom and Doom" when I come to a particular town.
Things is, I don't want to preach "gloom and doom." I'd much rather preach happy, happy, happy sermons. I'd like to go to a town, just once, and be able to say, "Hey, everything's coming up roses!" (Not that they know what roses around around here, in the desert, but I digress...) It would be nice to finish a sermon and be invited out to lunch...instead of being told to go away.
I've argued with God. So much so that I figure he's tired of hearing from me. "Why can't I preach like those court preachers do?" I ask. "Why can't I tell the king everything will be okay?"
And the answer comes back: "Do you want to preach happy...or do you want to preach truth?" Some days, it's not an easy choice. Okay, so I know I'll always choose truth. But still, just once, couldn't I preach a little less...prophetic?
I know I complain a lot, but I wouldn't have any other job, to be honest. To be working for God it a supreme privilege. It's not easy, but it is a privilege. It's just that I'd like to see some hope for my people, and yet everything they are doing seems to point in the hopeless direction. No, I can't "tell the future" like a lot of people think I can, but God does give me insight into what will happen if lives don't change. Call it "forth-telling" if you will. If we don't turn this thing around, our nation will be headed forth into destruction.
I'm afraid that's what is coming. King after king after king has failed to follow God. Ruler after ruler after ruler has led us down the wrong path. And I keep telling the people: how long do we think God will let this go on? (Too long already, if you ask me...not that anyone has!) Why will the people not listen?
Then...I wonder...would I listen to me if I weren't me? Would I easily dismiss me if I didn't want to hear what I said? I don't know. I only know that I'm called to preach an unpopular message...and to keep on doing it with the hope that someone, somewhere will finally listen.
Okay, God. Here goes...
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Things is, I don't want to preach "gloom and doom." I'd much rather preach happy, happy, happy sermons. I'd like to go to a town, just once, and be able to say, "Hey, everything's coming up roses!" (Not that they know what roses around around here, in the desert, but I digress...) It would be nice to finish a sermon and be invited out to lunch...instead of being told to go away.
I've argued with God. So much so that I figure he's tired of hearing from me. "Why can't I preach like those court preachers do?" I ask. "Why can't I tell the king everything will be okay?"
And the answer comes back: "Do you want to preach happy...or do you want to preach truth?" Some days, it's not an easy choice. Okay, so I know I'll always choose truth. But still, just once, couldn't I preach a little less...prophetic?
I know I complain a lot, but I wouldn't have any other job, to be honest. To be working for God it a supreme privilege. It's not easy, but it is a privilege. It's just that I'd like to see some hope for my people, and yet everything they are doing seems to point in the hopeless direction. No, I can't "tell the future" like a lot of people think I can, but God does give me insight into what will happen if lives don't change. Call it "forth-telling" if you will. If we don't turn this thing around, our nation will be headed forth into destruction.
I'm afraid that's what is coming. King after king after king has failed to follow God. Ruler after ruler after ruler has led us down the wrong path. And I keep telling the people: how long do we think God will let this go on? (Too long already, if you ask me...not that anyone has!) Why will the people not listen?
Then...I wonder...would I listen to me if I weren't me? Would I easily dismiss me if I didn't want to hear what I said? I don't know. I only know that I'm called to preach an unpopular message...and to keep on doing it with the hope that someone, somewhere will finally listen.
Okay, God. Here goes...
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