‘Twister’

9/11/2018

I Was Thinking…

One of the popular games of my youth was the game ‘Twister’. I’ve noticed that it has made a comeback in recent years. I wonder how many readers of this article will have played ‘Twister’. I suspect many have removed shoes and enjoyed ‘sock-footed’ fun with ‘Twister’.

My observation is that our political landscape these days is a lot like ‘Twister’. We are all tangled with this ‘opinion’ or that ‘approval rating’ or this ‘political leaning’ or that ‘position’. We seemed to have forgotten what is best for the lives of people and are more concerned for what gives one the most political clout. Often I wonder if we aren’t spending more energy trying to position ourselves to be re-elected than we are making decisions that are for the good of people.

My observation is that our political landscape has unduly influenced the church. We are all tangled with this ‘opinion’ or that ‘approval rating’ or this ‘political leaning’ or that ‘position’. It often feels like we’ve forgotten the purpose of the church and have allowed peripheral matters to sap the ‘mission energy’ of the ‘Body of Christ’. Are we spending more energy trying to out maneuver others in matters of controversy that we are making disciple decisions that win the world to the love of God?

Isn’t it a shame that hardly a word can be spoken without someone assuming there is a ‘hidden agenda’ lurking? In C.S. Lewis’ classic Screwtape Letters, Screwtape (Satan) says to his protégé, Wormwood “If we can just keep the Christians distracted then we’ve got them”. We are distracted and that which is suffering most is the mission of the church. We need desperately to get over ourselves and move to loving others as God has loved us.

My prayers are for the church in this world. We’ve become irrelevant and lacking in influence. I’m afraid we’ve become as John Wesley feared “Having the form of religion and denying the power thereof.” We’re all tangled in issues and are in danger of losing our ‘first love’.

My hope lies in Jesus who said “On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hades will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) And I love the hymn “On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.”

I doubt the Psalmist played ‘Twister’ in his sock feet but from deep within there was the message of being untangled in the Psalm “Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of Glory may come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty…” (Psalm 24:7-8)

Untangle us Lord! May it be so.

Always Thinking…