February 1, 2022

Thoughts on Thoughts on a Facebook Post

even the simplest search for

Christian

and

Protest

reveals a universality of opinion

am I alone?

am I the only one?

in opposition to the opinion of my own

is there no other?

is there no other seeing as I see?

Moses is positioned against Pharaoh

as are Shiphrah and Puah

Ezekiel, Isaiah and Jeremiah

against Israel and other nations

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

against Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel against Darius

Jesus against the Sanhedrin

even Paul

escaping Damascus

or Peter

escaping prison

both escaping certain death

all are brought forward as examples

to show us how we can oppose our rulers

yet stand faithfully with God

and again

I can't see it

I just can't see it

I am blind to what others see so clearly

I cannot see in their examples

I am ignorant of the proof of their opinions

I see Abraham, having been promised Canaan

not reaching out to grasp it for himself

but living in his tents in the Promised Land

I see David, having been promised Israel

not reaching out to grasp it for himself

but sparing his king’s life at every chance

I see Jesus, being in the form of God

not reaching out to grasp Godhood for Himself

but taking on the form of a servant

I ask God for wisdom

I plead with Him for understanding

I beg Him for a reason, any reason

to do more than to love my neighbour

to do more than to seek justice

to do more than to humbly walk with Him

and it never comes

it just never comes

not so much as a whisper

speaks correction to my ear

I can do no more than believe

that my understanding is not false

(either that

or I am deaf to His answer

I am blind to His light

I am ignorant of His truth

and I may as well not live)

for as much as I study

my Bible

for as much as I try to understand

their opinion

for as much as I try to change my mind

to adopt their point of view

I can't do it

I just can't do it

I simply cannot do it

I can see nothing more in their Biblical examples

than people who were faithful to God

in every circumstance of life

who chose to serve God

in their every breath

who stood against the whims of man

not to protest against man, but

to stand faithful to God

who stood against the laws of rulers

not to rebel against rulers, but

to stand in obedience to God

who stood steadfast and true

against the torrent of mannish whim

I can see no more that people

who's sole desire in life

was not to overthrow kings

was not to replace authorities

was not to establish dominions, but

was to live in obedience to The King

Franco Bitts has an interesting take on whether or not Christian should protest here