Cutting and Chewing in 2007

Cutting and chewing … sound like a meal?  But what kind?  Recently, I’ve been reading a book called Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond.  It’s interesting to me because it helps me cut out presuppositions and chew on new insights concerning why people live so differently in various places of our world.  Might some people be genetically “brighter” than others or are there other considerations like food, climate, germs and geographical factors that have effected technological advancement?  Oh, yes!  Jared gives me lots to cut and chew on!  And that’s satisfying to my mind.  During our Monday night book studies we are discussing another book, Reaching for the Invisible God­ by Philip Yancey.  This fine book has opened up discussions which have helped us grow in our love for God. Sharing and grappling with spiritual questions and experiences … that’s good for my heart.
 
As we move into a new year, I’m hungry for life with genuine substance and spiritual fervor.  Are you?  I love sitting down to discuss life as it is … impacted by our use of energy resources, religious beliefs, scientific topics and the health and peace concerns of millions. To feed this hunger, I always need to cut some things in order to chew on others! Know what I mean?

The last decade has led us down a dark path.  We’ve been told that the Twin Trade Towers were destroyed by those who saw us as “evil.”  Well, I’d like to talk about that.  We invaded Afghanistan and Iraq to defeat terrorism and promote a more democratic way of life.  Uh, huh.   
Is it too late to revisit the fervent convictions of those who use terror as a tool?  Is it too late to talk about our understanding of the nature of God, the teachings of Jesus, and our attitudes about poverty, hunger, moral concerns, political and corporate greed, and well … whatever?  What would come from more determined conversation?  Would this path be a different one?

Cutters and chewers needed … in politics, economics …and religious areas, too!  The Bible brings us helpful tools to know the compassionate spirit of Jesus … a Jesus that could help us build bridges of understanding and love between peoples of diverse religious backgrounds.  Jesus told his contemporaries, “Go learn what this means, I desire mercy, not sacrifice!”  Are there things that are weakening our ability to show mercy?  What needs cutting and what needs chewing on?

As I visit with people I get feedback that our world is not becoming a more compassionate and caring place to live.  We have a stunning shining sea of technological choices to capture our attention and resources but what is becoming of our world in the process?  We have 50” plasma TVs but what fills most of the channels?  What’s happening to our time for conversation, community service and spiritual growth? We can spend thousands of dollars to know in high definition that people are killing one another and that millions suffer from basic needs. 

Sigh.  If knowing doesn’t mean caring, why is that?  Is something growing spiritually life-draining tumors of despair and indifference?  What’s robbing us of our soul …  those very things that Jesus came to empower? 

Jesus, Savior and Lord.  Are we forgetting?  Can we read our Bibles again to see how Jesus transformed the lives of those who lived with him?  How did he give value to life?  What did he teach about the treatment of “enemies” or those who suffer basic needs?  How did he spend His time? What were the things Jesus cut out and what were the things he taught by word and deed?     

Is our spiritual home cluttered and poisoned by things cutting and chewing on us?  God, we need you to set us free!  Use spiritual cutters where we need them.  Help us cut the noise and clutter.  It isn’t easy, but by grace and wisdom, help us be your children … like Jesus!   

Pr. Dan