We have a remarkable young man at our church who is currently studying abroad this year in Ecuador as a junior at St. Louis University. Sito is immersed in the Spanish language, South American culture, and a unique religious context. As a young man considering pastoral ministry, his worldview has been stretched.
Sito and I Skype from time to time and last night we chatted for over an hour. (Are you reading this, Sito?) One thing he has observed this far is the fact that he is a complete outsider. He is American. His Spanish comes with an accent. And being Lutheran, he is a religious anomaly. Much of South America is obviously rooted in Catholicism. But there is also a powerful charismatic insurgence throughout the region. Lutheran Christians enjoy cult status. In the U.S., Sito is a natural leader. Personable, smart, and gifted. In Ecuador, he is "at the bottom" - a learner of the culture, language, and customs. He has occasionally wondered, "Does anyone here really know me as a person?" Not just as the novel exchange student, or the foreigner. Cross cultural experiences always make me take note of the outsider. In all my life's vocations, I am a leader, one who influences, the consummate insider. But what does it look like from the other side? The visitor who timidly enters the back door of my church and quietly leaves through the same door. The neighbor whose life experience is vastly different than mine. The foreigner in my community who has limited access to all the things that are open to me. Sito mentioned an appreciation for Romans 12:15: "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Take on the cause of the other. Enter into the life of your neighbor. Really know them "as a person." Join them in their status as "outsider." Check out Sito's blog.
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The crack in the blinds.
The hole in the fence. We see but a line, But not the extent. Under the door, A light in the hall. My face to the floor Ears hear the call. The fog across the way. The candle in the night. It’s dangerous to stay. I walk with no sight. What does it require, To march through the mist? Hand stretched forward Faith to persist. My eyes are closed, Blind to all fear. Ears hear the sound Of the Voice that is clear. I once heard the leadership guru, Jim Collins, say that you should count your blessings. Literally, count them. In fact, spend an hour writing every one of them down. Better yet, compile an Excel spreadsheet full of every possible blessing you can think of. If you reach 100, keep going.
And when you're finished with your long list of blessings, review them. And note that you had nothing to do with making them happen. Blessings are a gift, not a right. Blessed Thanksgiving. We hosted a Regeneration Summit back in early October. The theme was "Walls." Check out this Youtube channel for videos of some of the speakers. They are divided into segments. Consider that a "commercial break." Enjoy.
In the aftermath of the election, about the only consensus I've heard is that our country's demographics are changing. We look like a different country, and we will continue this trend. Demographics clearly had an impact on the outcome of the presidential election with a strong turnout of Latino, black, young, and women voter's playing a pivotal role in swing states. For instance, of Hispanic voters, 71% voted for Obama. These groups have traditionally been society's marginalized. These are not white males. It's interesting that in the Bible, it is the marginalized who are prized. The mantra of the "alien, the fatherless, and widow" is reverberated again and again. Luke highlights God's remarkable choice of a teenage mother for the Christ. Jesus is constantly found hanging with the "wrong" people, the tax collectors and sinners. Much has been said about Republican "soul-searching" in light of the demographic shifts. For conservative Christians who count themselves a Republican, there is another layer added. Is pro-choice and pro-traditional marriage the only platform for a political party? Is the Republican party too narrow? Can one be theologically conservative and inclusive? How can a conservative Christian take up the cause of the immigrant, the single woman, the demographic minority? Did you see the difference between the Democratic and Republican crowds? In Boston, Mitt Romney supporters were predominantly white and older. If there was a woman, she appeared to be next to a man. In Chicago, you saw a smattering of color. Black, white, and tan. There were a diversity of ages, although clearly younger. And there were blocks of women with no man standing next to them. As the body of Christ, who are we? And on Sunday mornings, what do we look like? I have God-fearing friends who are voting completely different tickets today. Both groups are praying the same prayer, "Thy will be done." They are all grateful for the country we love. They all seek peace, justice, and prosperity. What will happen when the results are decisive? Will you believe that his will has been done? Will you continue to pray that prayer?
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