"God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them."
It's a simple but powerful statement, I believe. The one quoted above I mean. And completely true. God cares and grieves for injustices, tragedies, and effects of sin such as these. It might sound a bit maudlin, but I don't think it's in the least trivial or unemotional for Him. God is never mastered by his passions, ever, but he is a God of complex and deep, deep emotion evoked by the condition of his people. The Spirit groans, Jesus wept, God gets angry. He also rejoices and laughs and delights. We can do that to him. Not because we wield influence but because he cares for you. That's my first point.
I also would like to point out, secondly, that the above quotation is from a speech at the 2006 National Prayer Breakfast. Already I feel skepticism rising, at least from myself. And the speech was given by a man with long hair and only one name - Bono. No eye rolling, please. Consider: whatever you might think of Bono's politics, his professed beliefs, his accent, his music, his hair... he's right. I can think of nothing about his words that is untrue about God. God is good and great enough to bestow common grace on all people, even those who may never be saved. All lives, all work, all good deeds are of value to him. As Augustine said, all truth is God's truth. I hope that God helps me to be humble enough to accept profound insights and beautiful Truth from anyone though whom he chooses to speak, even if that particular spokesperson isn't someone I consider qualified. This sounds like a hard thing to accept, but after thinking through it I see nothing unbiblical or unreasonable about it.
This is hard to say because I feel alternately cliche and sacriligious... but thanks, Bono.
Now if you please, you may visit the ONE campaign and see what they're up to lately.
1 comment:
If you read carefully, you will notice that we even have Scripture written by a Pagan King (see portions of Daniel written by King Nebuchadnezzar)!
Bono is clearly off on some things. Indeed, even in the immediate context of this quotation his errors shine through. But, as you have said, let us not ignore the truth he has spoken here on account of his errors elsewhere.
God certainly is with the poor!
-mike
Post a Comment