There’s so much anger out there these days, and I really think that part of problem is in our politics. People rely on them for entertainment. And politicians have discovered how to use this to their advantage by getting people mad. If they can get you mad enough, they can get you to vote for the person they want you to (or more often, vote against the person they want you to hate). And they can get you to give money to their cause. Anger motivates, and it gets these short-term results in elections and dollars. But we need to consider also: What are the long-term consequences of stirring up all this anger and rage? Right now we’re in a period of history that has riots, mobs, mass shootings, and a host of other things. There’s a great collective amount of rage out there – and it’s not good for any of us.
It’s been interesting in recent months to look at the book of Acts in the Bible. Stephen was a man who knew what it was like to encounter this kind of collective rage. He emerged as leader in feeding ministry (in Acts 6:1-6), and came to be at the center of a controversy at Jerusalem temple (in 6:8-15). Given a chance to speak, he gave a passionate speech that surveyed Old Testament history (7:2-50), culminating in an invective against his accusers (7:51-53) where he charged them with attacking the very leaders that God had been sending. The mob reacted in an angry passion (7:54), and turned violent beyond all reach of reason (7:57-8). How should Christians respond in these kinds of situations? There are several things to remember…
God bless you, Andrew McHenry, Pastor – First Congregational Church
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Andrew McHenryI am a husband, a Congregational pastor, and a native Kansan currently living in Thermalito, California. In the past I have also been a prison chaplain and a youth pastor. Interests include reading, railroads, prog rock, KU, and the KC Royals. Archives
March 2024
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