Witholding Water

To withhold or not withhold services from people who live a lifestyle in conflict with one's religious belief has been hotly debated in the public forum this week. I believe that most people would agree that everyone has the right to their own personal religious beliefs and the freedom to live whatever lifestyle they choose. But, to say that I'm not going to provide you with a service that I provide to any and everyone else, just because you live a homosexual lifestyle that goes against my religious beliefs, seems to me as contradictory and out of character with Jesus.

During a conversation with a co-worker, who is agnostic, about this debate, she said that this situation seems like what was going on in the 1960's when white people were refusing to serve black people in restaurants. I responded to her that it is my opinion that much of Christianity, unfortunately, seems to be focused on two issues: homosexuality and abortion. I followed that statement with a question for all who call themselves Christians: Is this what Jesus told us to do? How is refusing to sell flowers to or bake a cake for, or whatever, to other human beings doing what Jesus said to do, "love your neighbors"? Why do Christians pick and choose which sins they will put up with or not? Will the same people who refuse to sell flowers to the homosexual couple because of their "religious beliefs",
also not sell flowers to the man and woman who, because of infidelity, divorced their husband and/or wife in adultery to re-marry? If I remember correctly, Jesus was accused of hanging out with "sinners" of his day, not turning them away. He did not condemn the woman caught in adultery, but restored her dignity as a person loved by Him. I think we'd do well to follow his example.

This reminds me of a story by Max Lucado I used to read to my kids when they were little. It went something like this...there was a town where water was scarce and because so, it was greatly valued. One day a farmer stumbled upon a cavern where he discovered fresh, cold water. The farmer loaded his wagon and headed off to town where he excitedly told the townsfolk he had enough water for everyone and would return each day to share the water. The people lined up with their pots, the farmer filled them, and each person thanked the farmer. The next day the farmer returned with water and the people lined up and he filled their pots. But, some people forgot to say thank you to the farmer. So, the farmer made a rule. He said that only truly grateful people would receive water the following day. Each day the farmer would return, only to have made new rules about who could or could not receive water because of personal faults and failures he found in the people, until finally he decided that he was the only one worthy enough to receive water, so he no longer returned.

How can refusing to provide a service to someone be following the command to "love our neighbor"? It's like putting demands on others before we demonstrate kindness. In think I would rather be like Jesus than like the farmer. In my opinion, religious freedom is not being taken away, because religious freedom is this...

"The Lord has told you human what is good; he has told you what he wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying our God."

Micah 6:8

Humility On Display

I sat in the living room with a humble man and his wife this past Sunday. We sat and talked about how life was going, as we watched their one year old daughter play with her toys in the living room of their townhouse, where they have retreated each day after another round of radiation that the doctors say are attacking the tumor in his brain. I have considered Joe a friend of mine for several years now, almost from the day we moved here to plant Mosaic. We sat at a table outside of Starbucks the first time I met him and we talked about the vision God had given each of us to plant churches in Culpeper. Joe had already planted The River and now welcomed me and my vision for Mosaic. Since that day, we have partnered together on many occasions to help people in our community. Joe has been one of Mosaic's biggest cheerleaders. I have never sensed one iota of jealousy, competition, or pride in him, but instead, simple, yet profound, humility.

Our society tends to measure success based on things like numbers and the idea that "bigger is better". If one were measuring success by our culture's thinking, then The River and Mosaic have been failures. Real success in the kingdom of God is measured by how much we love others, especially those we don't agree with, kindness shown to everyone, compassion, contentedness wherever God has placed us, and humility. The River and Mosaic are a success based on God's measurement.

As I listened to Joe and Kathy talk about the days ahead following his last and final radiation treatment, I was humbled by the confidence they displayed in God who has always been faithful to them. Joe shared how he is busy these days doing paperwork and dealing with insurance and mortgage companies, and making plans to relocate to South Florida this summer to be near family. Joe has no idea how many days he has left on this earth to enjoy his wife Kathy and his beautiful daughter, Isabella. But, he is certainly grateful for every day he's been given. I am grateful to call him my friend and for the lesson in humility that he has been teaching me by the life that he is living.