top of page

Advocate, Activist -With Limits

Yes, from all I read in God's Word (The Bible) ALL who follow are called by Him to be activists, active in loving our Lord, spouse, children, family, neighbor, even enemies. This is so obvious from His Own words and example, in fact commands!


Therefore we are regularly in direct and indirect opposition to those who disagree with our advocacy, that is, whether our brothers and sisters in saving faith (Christ followers who are truly believers) or not, we will at times be at odds about what and to whom we should or even must be advocating for. I can see zero way around or out of this unless we either entirely stop caring for people in need or ultimately disobey our Lord's commands via Paul "by love serve one another".


What to do?


There is a time to speak and a time to remain silent. There is a time to move and another to stand still. There is "Book of ACTS" and there are the spiritual fruits of self-control, patience and overall basic wisdom as to when to do or not do X, Y or Z in our advocacy.


There is also the matter of burnout, despairing rather than faith. Remember too that believers surely prayed for deliverance and were yet killed in wars, eaten by wild beasts in colosseums and Paul suffered many, many times physical beatings that nearly killed him so the idea advocates and activists of the faith who serve the poor and needs of minority people always "win", gain what they seek in justice during this life is a historical maybe/sometimes/sometimes-not thing. God answers our prayers as HE chooses. Faith in Him and His wisdom regardless of our "success" or lack of it is the bedrock of our life.


Of massive importance: activists who never take a break, retreat, find ways to be nurtured themselves and rest are setting themselves up for what can often be severe problems to the extent they leave the field and perhaps never return.


Lastly, there are so many needs in this fallen, broken and often overwhelming, wicked world that one cannot sanely be an active advocate for EVERY issue, EVERY person, daily and all the time! I suggest we people of faith in Jesus seek Him and recognize our own limits, even seeking clarity on who and for what He calls us to do via serving Him and those in need.


We cannot literally do all for all, always -only God has that ability.


Things to consider as we journey through our world and churches.


As always, thanks for stopping by! -Glenn

Recent Posts

See All

Consider Jail/Prison

Imagine being wrongly charged, jailed awaiting trial, having to live in a cell a quarter size of your bedroom with another person (who...

Comments


bottom of page