If you want to raise the dead…
Friday, August 8th, 2008
Well, all right - let’s just jump right into the crazy impossible. A friend of mine mentioned on Friday morning in our mens’ group that he believed he would raise the dead. I have not personally witnessed this happening - like many of you have probably heard stories about this in other countries. And, there is the promise that we would do everything Jesus did in the gospels. I am going to remain open.
But the main part of the story for me is this - I encouraged him, that if he wanted to raise the dead, he would have to be around dead people. I don’t think my encouragement went over that well. Am I mixing Hollywood with God in some sort of Sixth Sense activity?
No - what I mean is this - if you want to be involved with the reality of the Kingdom of God as expressed in the gospels, you will have to find a way to be around the sick and dying. We have to make a decision to actually live amongst the people Jesus did, which are not always found at Starbucks, the local Church, or the gym. (Though certainly they are there as well - and everywhere where I am because I am one of them)
But let’s give up the excuses… That’s why I can’t help but always dive straight into the practical. If you want to raise the dead, you will have to be around dead people. If you want to help pregnant teens, you will have to be around pregnant teens. If you want to stop gang violence, you will have to be around gang members. Yes, I believe prayer works - so we can pray for all these things - but we can’t remain that distant.
Check this out - http://buyshoessavelives.com. I have personally met one of the young men behind the scenes, who spent a year in Iraq, and who has started a work to save the lives of children in Iraq with heart defects. You can read more about it on the website. I love the idea of pre-emptive love.
You can’t get anywhere without pre-emptive love. This is the love that rushes to get there before the war starts. This is the love of God - who races to the scene before the car crash. I know that there are alot of questions about God and world peace and why is there suffering? These are huge questions. I am not dealing with that here…
I am dealing with this question - “Where are we?” I happen to believe that we can place ourselves at the scene of the crime before the crime happens.
We have had two nights at the Village apartments where we have gathered to pray for peace before weekends where gang violence was hinted at… and both weekend were peaceful. But, we were there.
Please join the pre-emptive love movement. Buy some shoes from Iraq for these kids. (You can come into North Star Coffee Company on State Street and donate right there) Or, go where God has already been nudging you to go.
Your thoughts - comment please!