DON'T BE CHICKEN
DAY 162: IT wasn't that long ago that the whole country was feuding over chicken and waffle fries. Facebook exploded as Americans lined up to take sides in an argument far more explosive than whether the chicken or the egg came first. If you are reading this from another country you may have missed the scufuffle that had innocent fried chicken in the middle of a controversy.
Let me see if I can put this in shorthand: a man who is the CEO of a family owned fast food mega chain of restaurants said in an interview with a Christian publication that he is a Christian who runs his business by Christian values - including, but not limited to, closing every single store on Sundays and supporting the traditional institution of marriage. He even confessed to providing financially toward organizations and efforts that invest in serving families and traditional marriages. No disrespect to to the writer who did the interview, but that is not exactly investigative journalism. Those "confessions" are not shocking coming from a Bible believing Christian. In fact, the business man has often spoken of his love for God and his belief in operating by Christian values. Newsworthy? I don't think so.
Still, those who disagree with the personal beliefs of the a fore mentioned owner decided to create a controversy and boycott innocent chicken. Some opponents vowed that no chicken restaurant whose owner is so narrow-minded as to embrace Christian beliefs will be allowed open stores in their respective cities if they can stop them (which they can't because that is unconstitutional). Politicians, preachers, activists and everyday citizens embraced a new cause for "shouting" at each other on social media, pontificating in the news, and debating in the workplace.
On the "for" side millions of Bible-loving, chicken-loving Americans showed support for the besieged company by showing up on a single day and eating 1000 calories to show they are willing put their lives on the line to support THE CAUSE. Some zealous supporters waited as long as 2 or 3 hours for their "fast" food meal. The "less judgmental" Christians are posting tolerance messages and showing solidarity with the non-traditional marriage folks by linking their social media to material from inclusive organizations to educate their unenlightened brethren. Then there are the out and out activists who hold that no opinion is acceptable if it disagrees with theirs - so they stayed home and ate peanut butter in protest.
But such division always come at a cost. In this case, innocent chicken and waffle fries are being used in the tug-o-war. No one is even talking about the value of that juicy crispy chicken. No one is remembering those awkwardly cut spuds. They are just collateral damage caught in the middle of a nasty food fight. I say, JUST SHOW THE CHICKEN SOME LOVE.
But what if we take this crazy circumstance and see it as an illustration of a more dire circumstance. Imagine if that chicken company caught in the middle were a single person. What if for the sake of argument, a person were being bandied around and argued over, picketed and maligned, badgered and embarrassed all so that we could get that person to change his or her mind and think like us? Would that be alright?
Believe it or not, that is what the passage in today's reading demands that we think about. Paul, in a letter to Christians, tells them (and us) exactly how to handle a situation when convinced we are right and "they" are wrong, when the "they" happens to be other believers. This is the passage as paraphrased in THE MESSAGE. It couldn't be clearer.
2 Chronicles 29
Romans 14
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 20:12
Let me see if I can put this in shorthand: a man who is the CEO of a family owned fast food mega chain of restaurants said in an interview with a Christian publication that he is a Christian who runs his business by Christian values - including, but not limited to, closing every single store on Sundays and supporting the traditional institution of marriage. He even confessed to providing financially toward organizations and efforts that invest in serving families and traditional marriages. No disrespect to to the writer who did the interview, but that is not exactly investigative journalism. Those "confessions" are not shocking coming from a Bible believing Christian. In fact, the business man has often spoken of his love for God and his belief in operating by Christian values. Newsworthy? I don't think so. Still, those who disagree with the personal beliefs of the a fore mentioned owner decided to create a controversy and boycott innocent chicken. Some opponents vowed that no chicken restaurant whose owner is so narrow-minded as to embrace Christian beliefs will be allowed open stores in their respective cities if they can stop them (which they can't because that is unconstitutional). Politicians, preachers, activists and everyday citizens embraced a new cause for "shouting" at each other on social media, pontificating in the news, and debating in the workplace.
On the "for" side millions of Bible-loving, chicken-loving Americans showed support for the besieged company by showing up on a single day and eating 1000 calories to show they are willing put their lives on the line to support THE CAUSE. Some zealous supporters waited as long as 2 or 3 hours for their "fast" food meal. The "less judgmental" Christians are posting tolerance messages and showing solidarity with the non-traditional marriage folks by linking their social media to material from inclusive organizations to educate their unenlightened brethren. Then there are the out and out activists who hold that no opinion is acceptable if it disagrees with theirs - so they stayed home and ate peanut butter in protest.
But such division always come at a cost. In this case, innocent chicken and waffle fries are being used in the tug-o-war. No one is even talking about the value of that juicy crispy chicken. No one is remembering those awkwardly cut spuds. They are just collateral damage caught in the middle of a nasty food fight. I say, JUST SHOW THE CHICKEN SOME LOVE.
But what if we take this crazy circumstance and see it as an illustration of a more dire circumstance. Imagine if that chicken company caught in the middle were a single person. What if for the sake of argument, a person were being bandied around and argued over, picketed and maligned, badgered and embarrassed all so that we could get that person to change his or her mind and think like us? Would that be alright?
Believe it or not, that is what the passage in today's reading demands that we think about. Paul, in a letter to Christians, tells them (and us) exactly how to handle a situation when convinced we are right and "they" are wrong, when the "they" happens to be other believers. This is the passage as paraphrased in THE MESSAGE. It couldn't be clearer.
1 Welcome with open arms
fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all
over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even
when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith
department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat
them gently.
2-4For
instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be
convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a
different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and
eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't
it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or
didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have
any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with
God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be
learned, God can handle that without your help.
Of course Paul is not referring to chicken, but he is making clear that even Christians will not agree on every practice and issue informed by their faith. When that happens, Paul says we should immediately - let God handle it. The New Living Translation says it's God's business because, "They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord's power will help them do as they should."
When proving we are right becomes our goal, we mostly only have the power to aggravate, irritate, and annihilate relationships. In an effort to help them see the light, we "tug and war" with them when Paul is saying we should be loving them.
This is so hard to do because, if you are like me, you equate "fixing them" with loving them; but the reality is we often break them while trying to fix them. As my teacher used to tell me in sixth grade: it's better to just keep your eyes on your own paper, because you'll be getting your own grade. Paul puts it another way:
When proving we are right becomes our goal, we mostly only have the power to aggravate, irritate, and annihilate relationships. In an effort to help them see the light, we "tug and war" with them when Paul is saying we should be loving them.
This is so hard to do because, if you are like me, you equate "fixing them" with loving them; but the reality is we often break them while trying to fix them. As my teacher used to tell me in sixth grade: it's better to just keep your eyes on your own paper, because you'll be getting your own grade. Paul puts it another way:
Romans 14:7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.’”
‘every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.’”
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So
let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way
that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
The issues of the church who received Paul's letter were different to be sure, but the principal is the same: Love your fellow believers and leave the matters of their heart change (and our own) to God. Go eat chicken if you feel strongly about free speech and publicly standing for your values. I did. Or stay home if you feel strongly the other way - my neighbor did. But remember that changing people is not as simple as changing your lunch order; so before you begin debating with fellow Christians about rights and values, "aim for harmony and try to build one another up. Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat (or other issues about which only God can change the heart)." (v17-18) And if you strongly disagree with someone who doesn't follow Christ, why does that shock you? Shouldn't you care more about where they stand eternally then where they stand socially or politically?
Bottom Line: Don't be a chicken when it comes to loving people who don't hold the same convictions you do. I am already thinking of ways to apply this as a mom, a wife, a coworker, a facebook friend, a neighbor ... and, of course, a chicken-lover.
2 Chronicles 29
Romans 14
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 20:12
Comments
Post a Comment