Tug-of-war

Not to sound like most people who post this speech up, but I read this speech again today, and something strong popped out, and I thought I'd just throw that out there.

A big issue that has been brought up and seen many times in Biola, is the issue of unity and brotherhood, whether it be in race, religion, or creed. Throwing out a bit of truth, and not meaning to offend anyone, but I never truly understood how split up the church was until I came to Biola. Please understand, that I am not saying anything bad against Biola, but for some reason the population at Biola, seems to sum up what I have heard over and over again regarding the American Church, and it doesn't matter what color, or denomination. Slowly I am seeing the reality of unity coming about on the Biola campus, as issue are being addressed on the various sides of the "fight", but it still is something that needs to be said.
Reconciliation is a necessary aspect of bringing the body of Christ together in unity. Reconciliation between races, denominations, age groups, etc. The old need to join with the young, and the young with the old; Denominations need to support one another; Races need to stop working against each other. Seriously people, Cristianity was not mean to be a "tug-of-war". Once side wanting it completely their way, and the other their own way. In reality, everyone has their own way, but then so does God.
One saying that has really helped me out at Biola is one that I was told during my Sophmore year of Biola:

In necessariis unitas,
In dubiis libertas,
In omnibus autem caritas,

In essentials unity,
In non-essentials (doubtful) things liberty,
But in all things love.

- St. Augustine

I guess really needs to happen is that we need to truly let God work in and deal with our hearts, becuase I can promise you that there is not one person who has an effective solution to this. Only God knows, because only God can mend, mold, and strengthen people in this world. So I leave you with a bible verse, a speech, and hopefully with a thought.

I pray that everyone makes this a reality in their walk with Christ, and that God continues to stir in the hearts of Christians, and non-Christians alike.

Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit, and so be at peace with one another. We are all parts of one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. For us there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and we all have the same God and Father who is over us all and in us all, and living through every part of us.
- Ephesians 4:3-6



"I Have a Dream Speech" (middle part)
by: Martin Luther King

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."²

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

-----

*NOTE: Martin Luther King mentions so many times throughout His address, the need and stress for UNITY. Not one prevailing over the other.

Waking Up?

I feel that God is screaming into the heart of Biola to give him our hearts, and come to love and see His heart for this world and this generation, but most of all, for us. For Biola.

I mean, take a look at what some major speakers have spoken about:

Nick Vujicic, who's main ministry is "Life Without Limbs", went through his normal, yet still amazing message, but stopped half- way through a thought, and looked up at the crowd, saying "Biola, wake up." Biola Wake Up. Afterwards, they say that his message changed completely, incorporating what God had told him to speak half-way through his first message.

Mercy Me spoke to the crowd about pain, and struggling, and spoke with conviction and power, but it was not seeming to penetrate one bit.

Then, a couple weeks ago, I met with a group of Biola students, and a college group leader, and discussed on how to change the heart of this campus, and bring it to the heart of God.

Is something trying to break through here? Are we truly numb to what God is trying to do? It is like we have heard the name of God so many times, it has become no more astonishing as your room mates', and read the bible so many times, that reading it for other purposes besides homework still feels like you are finishing up some homework.

It is almost as if this "little world of Christianity" has ultimately put a hold on the reach that the Holy Spirit has on this campus, but it is beginning to become clear that the Holy Spirit is wanting, and working to break this mold, and radically change the campus, and its many inhabitants. The Holy Spirit is not for a "little world" though, but for every corner, crack, and crevice of this large world, and will continue to reach out until every heart is touched.

So, when are we going to wake up, and just let the Holy Spirit, and therefore the Lord, do wonders? When are we going to let him have our hearts, and radically transform us?