Immigration

I am unhappy with much of the discourse I am hearing on the subject of immigration. Congress is currently trying to pass immigration reform legislation, but it has been very difficult. There is a widespread belief that our country is being overwhelmed by immigrants, particularly from Mexico. Many powerful voices are calling for expulsion of undocumented immigrants, with penalties for those who assist them. These proposals go with a strong push to "secure the borders," even if it means building a seven hundred mile fence.

What troubles me about this is the loss of any kind of historical memory among us. Have we forgotten that virtually every person in the United States is either an immigrant or the descendent of immigrants? My own ancestors first came this way in the 1720's, fleeing some sort of oppression in Germany. The very idea of "America" is that of freedom and opportunity attained at the cost of leaving one's home. I don't doubt that my early American ancestors were "undocumented," and that they aroused suspicions and hostility. I am just glad they made the move!

Let me try to throw some theological light on this. The Bible story begins with immigration!
Abraham and his clan picked up and left their home in Ur (modern Iraq) and headed to a land that held a great promise for them. . They were moving because God was calling them to move. Later, when God was delivering the Israelites from Egypt and slavery, they would constantly be reminded that they were strangers, wanderers, sojourners, even as they settled into a new home. In the New Testament there are references to God's people as aliens, in exile from their true home in heaven. People of faith should have no discomfort with immigrants; spiritually, it is who we are!

Unquestionably there are many legitimate political issues to be resolved during this debate. I pray for our leaders to make a wise and just decision. I hope we can stay away from arguments about "them" in contrast to "us." At stake is what it means to be American.

A good definition

One of my tasks as a preacher and writer is to convey inspiration and encouragement. I have to do this through the filter of what I myself receive. No one is capable of doing this kind of work without the fertile minds and hearts of other people. My own experience is important, but no one can experience everything. I must then rely on the testimony of others who walk with God through this life. I have to trust that what nurtures me can also be of value to you. In a sense, this makes me an "inspiration broker."

An example of this is a simple definition of spirituality that I got from one of my mentors. He said that spirituality means living the ordinary life extraodinarily well. This is a very hopeful concept to me. Almost all of us live a life that feels quite ordinary. Regardless of our hopes and dreams, each one of us has to do laundry, clean house, pay bills, take care of a spouse or children or aging parents, go to work, and a hundred other things that are completely unremarkable. Like it or not, how we do these mundane things truly defines our quality of life.

Jesus once told a story about a man who, upon successfully completing a small task for his master, was told that he could now be entrusted with bigger things. I used to think this was a moralistic story about being a responsible person. Now I see it as a hint about spiritual life. Ordinary things, done extraordinarily well, open for us a window into God that we would otherwise miss. They enlarge our souls, and make us more able to receive from God and more ready to do God's will in the world. I am going to try and remember this the next time I am griping about having to vacuum the floor, or wash the bathtub.

Can you learn to see your ordinary, everyday life as a training ground for God?

Are you asking enough?

"You art coming to a King,
Large petitions with you bring
For his grace and power are such
None can ever ask too much."

These words come from John Newton, the same English writer who gave us the beloved hymn, "Amazing Grace." They are a simple reminder that God is far more generous with us than we expect. One of the great secrets of spiritual life is to learn to expect God to be good to you, even as you become more and more aware of your own unworthiness. No one would know this better than Newton, who prior to his conversion had engaged in the horrific work of trading slaves. Though he called himself a "wretch," he nonetheless dared to expect God to bless him. We would all benefit from such presumption.

Don't let yourself be deterred from asking God for something large today. Be brash! Expect God to be good to you, not because you are really special, but because God's grace really is amazing.

Back to work

For reasons that are hard to explain, it has been awhile since I have posted here on my blog. I won't bore you with any of that. I will just say that it is time for me to be back to work here on Cliff's Note. You are gracious to have been so insistent in your reminders for me to get back at it.

I see my work on this blog as having three purposes. One is to comment on what I see and hear while doing my work as a pastor. While I never break confidences with people, sometimes the everyday occurences of church life are meant to be shared with others. There is a lot we all can learn from each other. Another purpose is to share with you some of the inspiration I myself receive. It takes a lot to keep me going in this work, and much of it needs to be passed on to you. Finally, there are times when I need to comment on the events of the day in culture and politics. In all of these things you are invited to respond to what I offer. One person can start a conversation, but it takes more than one to keep it going.

One of my goals at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church is to make sure that we are using all the means of communication that are available to us. Blogging is a fact of life now. Many of you may be bloggers. This relatively new means of talking to one another may become a primary means of communicating Christ in the 21st century. If so, then lets get on with it!