Pastor's Blog: A Time to Heal
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As any physician will tell you, the first order of business they are taught in medical school is to “do no harm.” Attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, that saying has guided those who practice the healing arts for many millennia. I only wish that the rest of us would think about how we might abide by that philosophy so that in our way we might contribute to the recovery of other forms of sickness, many of which cripple and debilitate as any form of physical illness.
For example, at the time of this writing (and likely at the time of this reading), we do not know the outcome of our nation’s presidential election. But what we do know is that we are a divided people. The differences we hold have created chasms between us and no one appears to be prepared to do their part to bridge the gap. Instead, we seem content to stay on our side, with no desire to have much, if anything, to do with those on the other side. That “republic” Benjamin Franklin said the Founding Fathers would pass on to subsequent generations (“If they could keep it”) no longer seems to be the priority it used to be. The order of the day has become domination, not representation. Compromise has been replaced by conquest. I’m not suggesting that people should abandon their principles, not at all. But I am suggesting that we should hold to our principles with some semblance of humility and respect for those who disagree with us.
As I’ve been pondering this present crisis (on top of every other crisis we’ve been dealing with in recent days), I’ve come to the conclusion that it too creates opportunities for Jesus-followers. If this present time requires some group in society to step up and show how we can find a way to live with one another in spite of our differences, why can’t it be the church? After all, every congregation I’ve ever known has been comprised of people who were all over the ideological map about pretty much everything in life, except one thing, and that is their commitment to the Lordship of Christ. Because Jesus is the glue that holds us together as communities of faith, we find a way to relegate everything else in life to a place of lesser importance in order to not to allow any of it to rise to a place only Jesus should occupy. Not to do so would be idolatrous.
It breaks my heart that many today see the church as one of the primary contributors to our national divide. For those on the left, they perceive evangelicals to be unduly rigid and judgmental in their beliefs and practices, while to those on the right, they too often see us as a potential voting block for their political agenda. And the truth of the matter is that we’ve not done a good job of staying away from those two tar babies. But what if we instead dared to practice the teachings of Jesus and loved our enemies, blessed those who cursed us, forgave those who trespassed against us, and looked for ways to serve others instead of expecting them to serve us? Just maybe such a witness would cause others to see the strength of our character and the power of our devotion, and maybe it would lead them to be more open to the One who makes it all possible. And in the end, isn’t that the church’s primary reason for being?
So, let’s stay together at Mountain Brook Baptist Church around such a high and holy task. As we do, we can at least experience some peace in our fellowship in this otherwise stormy time. And as an exemplary church, we can also have an impact on other churches, institutions, and organizations where managing diversity is becoming harder by the minute. In the process we might even in some small but significant way contribute toward “keeping the republic” our Founding Fathers gave us; and, more importantly, we would do even more to serve God’s Kingdom purposes, which in the end will bring the ultimate healing for which everything and everyone so deeply yearns.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).