A Letter to President Obama

Dear Mr. President,

We need health care reform. As a lay person I don't know enough to know exactly what that should or should not involve. But one thing is clear to me. This government should not force me, through my tax dollars, to pay for the murder of babies. I hope you understand what the passage of a such a bill will do.

In 1850, Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act - the turning point in our nation on the issue slavery. Many Americans did not like slavery but they were content to let is exist as long as the blood was not on their hands (slavery was someone else's problem). But when the Fugitive Slave Act passed, Americans were required by law to be "complicit" in slavery by assisting in the capture of run away slaves and the prosecution of those who helped them. It wasn't long before many idol citizens became and/or supported abolitionists. And it wasn't long before we were at war.

I'm sure Americans in 1850 are similar to Americans in 2009. They have never walked a picket line. They don't contribute money to a political cause. They don't write letters to their representative... UNTIL they are forced to. Passing legislation that uses my hard earned money to pay for abortions all but makes me complicit in the slaughter of babies. If that happens, I am silent no more.

Struck Hard

I've been struck hard lately. A dear Brother in Christ was afflicted recently with a tumor on his frontal lobe. He is the pastor of the church we attended for two years. This Brother is gifted beyond words and his ministry is real. His church is booming and God is changing lives.

At first I was struck with deep concern for him and his family. The physical implications of his surgery are obvious. But life doesn't stop for suffering. I have realized that as a parent. Children need to be fed. Houses need to be cleaned. The on slot of daily life keeps coming. Sickness and hospitals can be just as hard for loved ones as they are for the afflicted.

Then I was struck with the timing. Worst case scenarios ran through my mind and I don't like them. This Brothers ministry is thriving, why would God want to, at the very least, slow it down for an unknown amount of time? I was just talking with someone today about how I know God is Sovereign and I know God is good. I don't doubt Him but sometimes my finite mind doesn't get Him.

Then I realized how much I was really struck. I have prayed more for this Brother than I have for anyone in a long time. I have read my Bible every day since I learned of this news. When my Brother preached it wasn't really Him preaching, it was God, and God is still preaching through him, but this time through his suffering.

Then tonight I was struck that the real why questions related to suffering in this life should be more along these lines:
Why did it have to be a friend who chose to betray the Lord?
Why did there have to be a thorny crown pressed upon his head?
Why did there have to be a heavy cross He was made to bear?
Why did they nail his feet and hands?