Danger Zone

"Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones."                                                                                                                                       - Matthew 3:9




John came in all his wildness, preaching a wild message of confession and repentance. A message of love and inclusion. A message that was for everyone. A message to be passed on by everyone. His clothes, his food came from the earth. His sustenance as God-given as his message was. His message, his life was not contained within any structure or system.

And it was a dangerous one.

The men came and stood.  They watched.  We know from this text and others that this was not a message approved by them.  They were of a say this but do that nature.  They preached rules and clung to exclusivity.  Their message was empty and elevated themselves.  Their message was mapped out, planned out and led to their own success, wealth and well-being.  

And it was a safe one.

Today are we preaching a message of wild inclusivity or are we preaching a message to maintain our own safety?

Is our message one that promises safety and belonging even if sometimes it's at the expense of others, exclusivity in the guise of inclusivity?  

Is our message based on three steps to a better marriage, better relationship with Jesus, better parenting, better life, better, better, better? 

Is our message only to be preached by a few - are lines drawn around our leadership spaces, our pulpits?  

Is our message that we are to vote and live in a way to protect our safe borders - the borders of our country, our neighborhoods, our school systems, our bank accounts?

Is our message contained in a building?

OR 

Is our message a messy one, one that welcomes in everyone not just through a sign outside our walls but by the welcome within the walls - the welcome to a home, a table, a life together?

Is our message based on the following of His Spirit, a dedication to reading His word, listening to His voice, the freedom to live out the life he is calling you to rather than a life of rules?

Is our message one that is open to ALL to preach and teach, have the boundary lines been smashed as we are all one in Jesus?

Is our message that it is OUR family, OUR children, OUR world, OUR money?  Where you were hurting, you were sick, your child was taken, your brother/son/father was killed, your family impoverished.....that, too, is my pain, my hurt, my burden to share - is that our message?

Is our message contained within our life?

Are you going to stand and watch or jump in?  You get to choose.