Divided
Read 1 Kings 18:1-15.
We live in a divided world. I started to list as many divisions in this paragraph as I could until I realized that wasn't going to be helpful. We're all aware of the divisions. We confront them every day—in our offices and our coffee shops, in our conversations and even in our homes. Holidays have become uncomfortable as more and more people have become more and more strident in expressing their viewpoint around the dinner table. I remember a time (it wasn't that long ago) when we could calmly discuss differences. (It was called "civility.") Now we seem to look for and thrive on and capitalize on differences—political, economic, theological.
Recently, in our city, we began a dialogue between the school system and the faith community. How can we work together to better life for children? But when some learned that "faith community" meant more than just "the Christian community," they balked. Could they sit down at a table with Muslims, Jews, Unitarians or even "Christians of a different theological stripe"? I was asked what I would do, and my response was, "We can't have a voice if we don't stay at the table." (I've had the same response to the divisions and discussions in my own denomination.)
Perhaps Obadiah shows us a way to live in these days. In the midst of the reign of Ahab (who was one of the worst and most evil kings the people of God ever endured), he continues to serve in the administration of the kingdom. The writer of Kings wants us to know that Obadiah was not compromising. He was a "devout believer in the Lord" and even put his job as risk to protect God's preachers. But Obadiah knows he has a chance to influence the nation if he stays at the table.
Elijah, of course, found a different way. He was outside the system, challenging the system. The Bible is clear: both of these men are devout and following the Lord's will. Both approaches are needed because God uses all sorts of people in all sorts of ways to make a difference in the world. The question we have to answer if we have clearly heard his call and are pursuing the path he has laid before us. Are we too quick to run away? What can we do with the opportunities in front of us to heal the brokenness of the world?
There is a time to be Obadiah. There is a time to be Elijah. Here's the question: what time are you in now?
We live in a divided world. I started to list as many divisions in this paragraph as I could until I realized that wasn't going to be helpful. We're all aware of the divisions. We confront them every day—in our offices and our coffee shops, in our conversations and even in our homes. Holidays have become uncomfortable as more and more people have become more and more strident in expressing their viewpoint around the dinner table. I remember a time (it wasn't that long ago) when we could calmly discuss differences. (It was called "civility.") Now we seem to look for and thrive on and capitalize on differences—political, economic, theological.
Recently, in our city, we began a dialogue between the school system and the faith community. How can we work together to better life for children? But when some learned that "faith community" meant more than just "the Christian community," they balked. Could they sit down at a table with Muslims, Jews, Unitarians or even "Christians of a different theological stripe"? I was asked what I would do, and my response was, "We can't have a voice if we don't stay at the table." (I've had the same response to the divisions and discussions in my own denomination.)
Perhaps Obadiah shows us a way to live in these days. In the midst of the reign of Ahab (who was one of the worst and most evil kings the people of God ever endured), he continues to serve in the administration of the kingdom. The writer of Kings wants us to know that Obadiah was not compromising. He was a "devout believer in the Lord" and even put his job as risk to protect God's preachers. But Obadiah knows he has a chance to influence the nation if he stays at the table.
Elijah, of course, found a different way. He was outside the system, challenging the system. The Bible is clear: both of these men are devout and following the Lord's will. Both approaches are needed because God uses all sorts of people in all sorts of ways to make a difference in the world. The question we have to answer if we have clearly heard his call and are pursuing the path he has laid before us. Are we too quick to run away? What can we do with the opportunities in front of us to heal the brokenness of the world?
There is a time to be Obadiah. There is a time to be Elijah. Here's the question: what time are you in now?
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