Revolution

You say that word Revolution and people just go, 'OK'. It doesn't quite have the punch it once had. I have been watching the HBO series John Adams and have learned a lot about the start of our Nation. First, the founding fathers were barely fathers at all. They were mostly young adults that found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Also, they did not agree on any number of things: should we go to war against England, should states be separate or should we have one Republic, the wording of the Declaration, the wording of the Constitution, who should be doing what as far as the government offices go, the list goes on and on. Not only that, but its also important to note that we probably would not have won had the French not come to our rescue. Then we would have floundered in debt if other nations didn't pitch in to help us monetarily with loans. I guess I am naive but I always thought we just decided to be free, fought to have freedom, came up with an adequate system of government, etc etc. That is not what happened. The Revolution was more than just a few battles and a turning point in history, it was and is an ongoing living thing (for lack of a better word). So when I say the word Revolution, its no wonder people just think, "hey we fought the British, won and here we are". Not that simple.

Now if I was to use the word Revolution in the context of church or God or Christianity, depending on your age, you would think one of two things. One, if you were a baby boomer and above you would think about the saving Blood of Christ and how Jesus is the changer of lives and deliverer of hope and if you work hard enough you will know that hope and deliverance. Two, if you are Generation X and below, Revolution means a large public movement towards service, caring for others, grace, experience. Each response is right and a little off. Each responder thinks they are correct and the others are wrong. But that still leaves us with this word Revolution. It is defined: a radical change in something, a sudden and complete change, an overthrow and repudiation of a government. I have shortened the definitions. But they all go together to say the same thing. Revolution is sudden, complete, radical (different than the norm or status quo), overthrowing, and different. So why am I writing this?

I think our churches are in need of such a Revolution. I think people (myself included) are tired of the same language of churches with no results and no complete, radical, sudden change occurring. Am I saying that God is not working, ABSOLUTELY NOT. He is working and I think he is working through other avenues than churches. He works whether we think he does or not; whether we want him to or not; whether we think we are in control or not. God has, throughout history, used what ever means necessary to make his will be done. Whether it was through means of another country other than Israel or by using a young girl who was unmarried but engaged to someone making her pregnant knowing what people would think of that. He works.

I believe Revolution will come from young people, young adults, teens, whatever you want to call it. But there still needs to be older adults there to help guide, direct, mentor and LISTEN. We don't need micromanagement or controlling adults getting in the way but we do need caring, competent, and Christ centered adults to walk alongside those that God is calling to be the salt and light to the world. I am not saying anything earth shattering or original. But I am going to start saying it more. I am going to start saying it louder. I am going to start saying it forcefully. I am going to pray about it and for it constantly. Because I know that my son and (soon to be among us) daughter need to hear it and need to SEE it. Let's start the Revolution.