Month: December 2017

I think we have finally arrived at the day of reckoning.  For so many years, things have just been accepted.  It has just been the “norm” for this type of thing.  That isn’t the case any longer.  The day has come when people are standing up and saying…this is enough and I will not be subjected to this.  I am grateful for those who have stepped forward to say that they have been treated unfairly, unjustly, and in some cases, devalued as less than a human.

The most recent events have been of women that have come forward to tell of the sexual misconduct of which they have been the victim.  It cannot be easy to come forward, much less in a case where the person is well known and “well respected” in society.  I have personally been shocked by the names that have been called out.  I have heard many say that some of these women have waited too long.  How long is too long when you have been treated in a demeaning, devaluing way?  How long is too long for those whose lives and careers have been ruined because they said no?  How long is too long when these people have had to face shame and despair for so much of their own lives?

It has become a day of reckoning because one woman stood up…then another…then another.  They don’t do this without some backlash…some name calling…some humiliation by those who are hateful and angry and confused.  They do this because it is time.

I have a theory of why sexual misconduct is so rampant in society.  First, and I think most important is the culture of pornography and sex trade.   Could it be that with the influx of pornography and the ease of access…with sex slavery being so prevalent in our world – those factors are playing a huge part in infecting those that are doing things which they think they have the right and power to do? Could it be their hearts and minds have been deceived by the images that they have put into their heart through screens…thoughts they have been allowed to enter because of this deception?

Think of it like this…there are children and young women being sold in sex slavery every day (a fact which still horrifies and angers me).  These people have to be sold to someone.  There has to be a market or there would be no sales.  And, pornography is everywhere.  Someone has to be looking at it or it wouldn’t be…everywhere (TV, ads, internet, phones…everywhere).  These facts have consequences!!  This cannot be without some result to society…to people…to our world.  And why would we think that our leaders, actors, anchormen, and those in power would not be a part of this?  Why would we think that those factors haven’t influenced what is happening and has happened in our world?  When we allow those things which disturb us and hurt us…distort creation and twist truth…to become mainstream in our society…people act according to that.  Ruined relationships…disconnected from reality…painful miserable existences.

Additionally, there has been no accountability. The good ole’ boy network continues to exist where there is no accountability.  Sexual misconduct could be bragged about…used by those in power to get what they want when they want.  If you have power over someone, it is easy to take advantage…and who is to stop it?  No accountability from anyone…those in power and wealth have more power and wealth.

What do we do?  I certainly don’t have all the answers.  But, I do believe one answer is exactly what is happening now….people standing up and saying that this not okay – it never was and never will be.  I also think that there has to be some change…some accountability of what is viewed and what is done.

As a Christian, I also can’t say that sexual misconduct is ever okay nor can I excuse what has happened…we all have to stand with those who have been exploited.  We cannot excuse sexual misconduct, ever.  It is never okay.  Using power and prestige to get what is not yours is never okay.  We do not excuse what has happened.  There are consequences to all of our actions.  That is the day of reckoning.  It is just beginning.  I pray it changes our world…stand up for those who have no voice…for those who have been beaten down…for those who need a hand to hold…stand up Christians!  The day has come.

It is that time again…it is Advent.  This should be a period of waiting.  But who really likes waiting anyway?  As a kid, I loved to watch the Advent Wreath being lit in church…each candle meant we were one week closer to Christmas.  It was exciting but felt like it took forever to happen.  As an adult, we can easily get overwhelmed…there isn’t enough time and there are presents to buy and food to cook (or eat)…there are places to be and church programs to attend.  But, isn’t Advent about waiting?  So what are we waiting for?  Do we really wait for anything any more?  Isn’t waiting really a thing of the past?  We can get food fast and groceries on every corner…we get mad if we have to wait 15 minutes at the bank or for someone to cook something fresh…and don’t get us started about having to wait in line to buy anything during Christmas… We don’t wait?  So what is the deal with this Advent waiting anyway?

Advent is a time to remember to wait expectantly…to have some excitement about the wait (like kids waiting for Christmas).  Waiting for Christ to come.  Yet…he came, as a baby.  So what are we waiting for again?  I hear the words of Zechariah so loudly during this time.  His words are captured in Luke 1:67-79.  He is speaking of the things his son (John) will do as he grows.  As he speaks, he reminds us of something exciting…something worth waiting for…something to watch and keep our eyes open for…he reminds us of the dawn breaking.

I don’t know about you, but I love to watch the dawn break.  I run early in the morning and one of the best times is when it is so dark and then dawn breaks.  It is as if God turns on a light switch – pronouncing “let there be light” each new day.  It is a time of promise.  It is just before the orange and red hues appear over the horizon.  You know the sun is coming and a new day is here!  The dawn breaking…the light coming…THAT is exciting and worth waiting for.

But we don’t see a dawn breaking, do we?  We know darkness.  We understand what it is to live in a dark world.  When there are people who are killing kids in schools, riots that trample people and destroy property as a way to make a point, selling of young people into sex slavery, abuse of the elderly…when there are hurricanes that destroy entire countries and wildfires that sweep across a state…we know dark.  When church is not your “safe place” any more, we know dark.  And yet, our scripture today says that darkness is not all there is, regardless of how dark it may seem, there is LIGHT.

Darkness is NOT all there is.  There is promise and hope.  There is a new dawn breaking.  It can be found in Christ at work in us, through us, and around us.  Christ is at work…there is THE light…the dawn is here.  Where might you find that dawn?  It can be found in those that love their neighbor…even when the neighbor is unlovable.  The light can be found in feeding the hungry, sheltering those who are without, giving unexpectedly and without recognition…the light can be found in those who stand and show what it really means to love God and to love others, no matter the cost.  Light can be seen in those who find take the time to listen…to really see people…and to give of their talents for others.  To give is to see light.  To love is to be the light.  There is a new dawn breaking and it is found in those that love God.  Is the dawn breaking through and in you?  It is worth looking for…and worth the wait.  God created…and it is good.