“You must once again prophesy for many
peoples, nations, languages, and rulers.”
(Revelation 10:11)
We’re still going through another seemingly
endless presidential election season. Whether
on the national or on a local level, much rhetoric has been and is still being bandied
about, supporting this or that candidate, cause, or issue. Whether it’s a national or local figure, or
any citizen, most people are speaking with passion regarding her or his
stance. To what extent are those words
spoken with the authority of a prophet?
With experience as a foundation? Is
it about righting a wrong, like promoting the cause of the marginalized and
seeking justice, or is it self-serving; seeking to have power over others, and
to gain more for “our” side?
In the Book of Revelation, John eats the
scroll with God’s word. It tastes
wonderful, but later it turns his stomach (Revelation 10:8-11). How often have we learned through experience
and/or heard something, even said it aloud, and then discovered that there’s a
churning within us? What’s going
on? Why do we feel almost ill? Perhaps it was because we haven’t fully
digested what we heard/learned before we spoke it.
Or maybe we did spend time inviting
our God into our reflection, and we’re aware that NOW it’s time to speak up. However, in the speaking, the tumult
increases. And we wonder what it is,
that’s upsetting us.
Jesus spoke words in the temple that we
can be sure caused some indigestion (Luke 19:45-48). As He commanded the moneychangers out of the
temple, and called it a "den of thieves," He knew that this wouldn’t exactly be popular. But He was willing to do it; and He was full of emotion. I’ll bet the adrenaline was rushing (even “just
anger” may have an impact on our bodies, our psyches). And He had reason to perhaps have an upset
stomach; the scribes and pharisees were eager to destroy Him. However, at this point in time, the populace was
listening to Jesus, and "hanging on his every
word."
In these months and years following
our elections will we simply gloat or bemoan the present results of the
election? Regardless of whether our
candidates, and/or our issues, and/or our concerns "won" or
"lost," how will we live and speak - NOT giving up on our principles,
yet willing to work with others for change?
Will our words (and deeds) taste
like honey in our mouth, but cause us
indigestion? Will we be able to work and
speak in ways that build bridges with those whom we don’t see “eye to eye”? Where do we reconcile? And where do we push forward with our message,
hoping to "prophesy";
to continue to raise the social consciousness, regardless of who or what has
been voted in by the people?
How will our words and deeds reflect
God’s presence in our lives, and how will we prophesy
for many peoples, nations, languages, and rulers?
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