Living in the Spirit

July 1, 2021

Scripture Reading:
2 Corinthians 12:2-10

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

We live in a crazy world. I do not know how many people were arrested on January 6, 2021, when the nation’s capital was breached with windows and furniture broken and congress members hustle out to safety. Five deaths are attributed to that event. An estimated $1.5 million in damage was done. Five hundred people had since been arrested. The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The actions on January 6 clearly did not meet the test of peaceably to assemble.

Recently, Reverend Doctor William Barber Jr. and other participants from the Poor Peoples Campaign, including Reverend Jesse Jackson, led a group of people to Washington DC from West Virginia and Kentucky to meet with their senators, Joe Manchin and Mitch McConnell, at their offices. The group was turned away, and neither man was willing to meet with their constituents. Part of the group then went and stood in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue to peacefully protest the issues they wanted to discuss. Both men and some others were arrested for, I guess, blocking traffic. Rev. Dr. Barber suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Jesse Jackson has Parkinson’s Disease. Neither of these gentle giants would have hurt anyone. Just standing in solidarity for voters’ rights with the people of West Virginia and Kentucky was a painful chore.  

We cannot let the out-of-control actions of an angry mob overtake the fundamental rights of our democracy. People like Paul did not have the protection of our Constitution. He paid a heavy personal price for his work sharing the love of God. We, however, can and must work for righteousness and justice peaceably.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the courage to be conduits of your love through our citizenship. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.