Experiencing God - What Would God Protest? [Activism]

What would God protest?

 

We normally don't think of God as an "activist" but as you look deeper into scripture you will find that God is constantly fighting for those at the bottom.

 

I've fallen a little behind on the blogging but am going to pick up on our discussion of the nine spiritual temperaments as outlined by Gary Smalley in his book Sacred Pathways.

 

Today I want to write briefly some thoughts I shared in class about the activist temperament.  The heart's desire of an activist is "Where can I find purpose in life by working with God?"

 

Those who expresses themselves spiritually through Activism find they are closest to God when they are doing something.  These are people who find God in the homeless shelters, in the eyes of the neglected, abused, and forgotten.  Their hearts cry out for justice, mercy, and compassion for all people.

Now don't confuse this with a "works-based" salvation.  The Activist it is not about impressing God or impressing people with their charitable works, rather they are driven by a hope to encounter God.  The Activist knows that God is about of movement and action and is not a god who is sleeping or removed from the world.  They believe that the Kingdom of God is present and active in the world and that we are called to be working in it as agents of mercy and grace.  

The Activist also hopes to be changed during whatever act they are performing.  Not changed by the act itself, but because God is encountered through it.  

 

The Activist knows that God is a one of justice, fairness, and compassion, yet acknowledges that we live in a world that is filled with oppression, inequity, and estrangement.  They also know that the world is not as it should be.  God has another plan and that He has called us into action to see the Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.  This dichotomy allows opportunities for the activist to serve God.  

 

The term we use to describe this mentality is "social justice."  These folks, fueled by spiritual passion to see the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven, will stand up for people in the public assembly, engage in marches or protests, write letters to elected officials, and will confront the "powers that be" in the name of righting wrongs for the sake of the Kingdom of God.  This is not to say that those involved in political activism are all spiritual, and that all of those who are spiritual activists are political.  However, when considering the activist temperament we have to realize that there is indeed an element of politics involved, even though some of us don't necessarily like that.   

 

Those in the activist mode seek out God's politics and fight for them with fervency.  

 

They feel most alive spiritually when they have a chance to join with God in acts of compassion.  If we are talking about the Church as parts of the body, like the Apostle Paul does, these people are the hands and feet. 

 

Throughout the scriptures we encounter God's messengers declaring justice, mercy, and compassion.

 

For instance, Moses stood as God's mouthpiece before Pharaoh declaring that he free the Israelites.  We know from scripture that Moses was actually pretty reluctant to serve in this role, but God used him despite his inadequacies.  

 

Later on in Israel's early history the prophets Elijah and Elisha became the advocates for justice in the nation of Israel.  "Elijah displayed great courage in his confrontation with Ahab and the prophets of Baal." (SP 118).  Elisha  stood before the future King of Aram, Hazael, who would do terrible things to the people causing Elisha to weep at the thought.  

 

If you really want to experience those who are seeking justice in the world, you can't skip over the words of the later prophets.  One of favorites is the prophet Amos.  Israel has gotten mixed up in some crazy stuff and God is just pouring it on them.  This is what the prophet Amos says:  

 

“For three sins of Israel,
    even for four, I will not relent.
They sell the innocent for silver,
    and the needy for a pair of sandals.

They trample on the heads of the poor
    as on the dust of the ground
    and deny justice to the oppressed.
Father and son use the same girl
    and so profane my holy name.
They lie down beside every altar
    on garments taken in pledge.
In the house of their god
    they drink wine taken as fines.":

(Amos 2:6-8)

Likewise the prophet Isaiah declares God true justice to the rebellious nation of Israel.  

 

When you spread out your hands in prayer,
    I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.

Your hands are full of blood!

Wash and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
    stop doing wrong.
Learn to do right; seek justice.
    Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
    plead the case of the widow.

(Isaiah 11:15-17)

 

In this passage, and others that closely mirror it, we see the importance for true justice and mercy in our world.  We also gain and understanding that our worship is meaningless if it is not supplemented with living in mercy, grace, and true justice. 

In the New Testament, James writes about this idea:

 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-26)

 

You will recall that just a little bit later in that letter from James he makes the case that faith without works is dead.  Our good works cannot save us, but are rather a response to the call of the Kingdom of God.

 

When considering the activist temperament one must be on guard against a couple of dangers that can easily distort the spiritual experience. 

 

Elitism-Christians activists run the danger of taking on "holier-than-thou approach to life."  If presented in the wrong spirit, the activist can make a people feel really crappy about themselves and the ways they live.  Maybe that's more on the hearer, but I believe it is the responsibility of the activist to present God's cause with gentleness and compassion.  Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:16 as he is sending out the disciples.  He tells them to be as "shrewd as serpents, and gentle as doves."  Often times, activists are the voice of Christianity in our world and sometimes I wish our contemporary Christian activists would think before they talk.  There are many well-meaning activists who are actually doing more harm than good because they forget to choose their words wisely in a news driven world that is ready to pounce on any bit of controversy.  If we present our message from a place of humbleness, compassion, and gentleness I believe more people will be willing to hear it.  Now there will be times for harsh criticism, but if we present the message of God from a place of haughtiness and excessive piety, it's highly likely that the message will be rejected from the offset.  

   

Burn Out - For the temperaments of activism and caregiving, which are "pouring out" temperaments, burn out is a very real danger.  One could advocate for a cause for years and years and only see minimal change.  And in our fast paced, instantaneous culture people demand results.  So if you are an activists:  Pace yourself.  Remember that ships don't turn on a dime.  Also, activists, nourish other temperaments.  Dip into one of the other "wells of living water" and experience God in other ways so that you can be poured into once in a while.  The best activists understand the importance of a well balanced spiritual diet.

 

Some resources that I suggest in terms of activism are the books God's Politics by Jim Wallis, Everything Must Change by Brian McLaren, and The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.  There are many, many others but these are a few of my favorites.  Also, if you really want to get charged up I highly suggest investing in some music by Derek Webb (my personal favorite is She Must and Shall Go Free).  Derek is a wordsmith with the ability to pair challenging words with captivating melodies.  So be sure to check it out!