The Virtual Pew Daily: Why the Hell?

I wrote something today as I thought, “Why the hell do people still try to control and obtain power over others?” Don’t get me wrong, it is not like I am in some kind of a jerk mood or anything, but I am personally tired of seeing good things ruined by control, I am tired of seeing good people manipulated and used by others to accomplish their dreams while at the same time, leaving corpses on the side of the road.

Jesus was about so much more than that; it seems as if the church has forgotten that and the world frankly at times just don’t care. Is it any wonder that people are still hurting? Is it any wonder that so many have given up hope? We see murders set free, the poor locked up, and the sick left behind.

Let’s make more money! We can’t afford to take care of the poor! They deserve what they get! My political party is right! You’re going to hell! Obama is the devil! American love it or leave it! We are a Christian nation! I am God! Screw You!

It seems as if the above are the norm more than the exception. People have these attitudes, these opinions, and that seems to be the focus of life. I wonder, is this anything like Jesus? Is the attitude of it all being about me the attitude God wants for us?

Why do we ignore sayings like, “It is easier for a rich man to get into the kingdom of heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn and let them strike the other.” “Love your neighbor as yourself.” “If you can’t love your neighbor who you can see, how can you say you love God whom you’ve never seen?” “You’ll be forgiven by the measure of which you have forgiven others.” “Love your enemies, pray for those that would do you harm.” “If you see someone in need, and you have the means to provide for them do so. Stop loving each other in words only, love each other in deed.”

I don’t have all the answers, heck, sometimes I think I have too many questions, but, I can’t help but ask those questions. People are dying in the richest nation on earth because they can’t afford health care and we don’t seem to care. People ignore this, they think anyone can get health care. Please, come and let me show you, not tell you, but show you. Children will go hungry tonight, while some throw away enough food from their dinner at a fine restaurant that could feed 3 or 4 children. Some will spend more money today on a movie, than some people have to pay for electricity in a cold or hot house. It costs pennies to save the life of a child dying from malaria, yet we will spend more money on bubblegum than we will time thinking about a person dying from a preventable disease. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it is wrong to eat at a nice restaurant, or even see a good movie, but at whose expense to we refuse to help where we can?

Where is Jesus? Does he still care? Why doesn’t he do something? I think he is here, weeping at our lack of compassion, he chooses to use us, but for some reason, it doesn’t seem like too many people care. Yet we keep on keeping on at not loving, not showing compassion to a hurting child, an abused mother, a homeless veteran, a sick father. I am reminded of Matthew 25: 31-46

(31) When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all of his angels, he will sit on his royal throne. (32) The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats.
(33) He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. (34) Then the king will say to those on his right, "My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. (35) When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, (36) and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me."

(37) Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, "When did we give you something to eat or drink? (38) When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear (39) or visit you while you were sick or in jail?"

(40) The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me."

(41) Then the king will say to those on his left, "Get away from me! You are under God's curse. Go into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! (42) I was hungry, but you did not give me anything to eat, and I was thirsty, but you did not give me anything to drink. (43) I was a stranger, but you did not welcome me, and I was naked, but you did not give me any clothes to wear. I was sick and in jail, but you did not take care of me."

(44) Then the people will ask, "Lord, when did we fail to help you when you were hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in jail?"

(45) The king will say to them, "Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me."

(46) Then Jesus said, "Those people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life."

I know those words may offend some, but I didn’t write them, God did, as to that thing I wrote today, it follows, it is filled with symbolism, some will get it, some won’t. That don’t surprise me though, I know I’m not alone in these thoughts, I know I’m not alone in my desires. I have said it before, I will say it again, it’s time for many of us to: Stand Up!

What the Hell

I know I’m a dreamer
There are things I can do
I know who’s the schemer
I think it’s you

I believe in justice
I believe in right
You practice injustice
You live in the night

You think you have the power
You think we’re all the same
I refuse to cower
You’re the one to blame

You make your decisions
You think you know it all
You like to steal visions
Hell No, you will fall

I know I’m a dreamer
There are things I can do
I know who’s the schemer
I think it’s you

The poor they are humble
The rich are full of pride
The godless, they will crumble
The son is on my side

What will you do, how will you show love today? The following video represents one way you can show love, one way you can show compassion. Just click on the video, if for some reason the video don't appear, just click on the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2RrIZci2Bg