The Need For Courage

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Reflection: So, as the week began we saw people who were too afraid to speak in public. As the week comes to an end, we see a group of power-seeking people throwing stones at others. I think there is a link here. Maybe it is not a link John is seeking to make in his gospel, but a link nonetheless. So, what is the connection? That link is that powerful people tend to use the threat of throwing stones to silence those who would otherwise either speak against them or provide a different perspective. If the powerful are successful, fear will drive all other perspectives underground. Once such ideas are buried, then obviously the ideas of the powerful win the day.

I think this happens in our world. Those who have power seek to silence those who wish to shre the gospel by threatening to use their positions to throw deadly stones at all who dare to speak for Jesus. So teachers in public schools remain silent, afraid that they will lose their jobs if they openly speak of Jesus. Politicians are tamed down in fear that they will be seen as religious fanatics. Students remain silent, fearful that those more powerful than them will make them pay a price for being "so overtly spiritual." Pretty soon, the stone throwers win the day. May God, by means of His Spirit, strengthen us for the battle so that we are more passionate about sharing Jesus than we are afraid of paying a price for witnessing.