I love camping, and this last few days I was able to participate in our family's annual adventure at Shasta Lake (Weren't sure if we were going to go due to the level of the lake earlier in the year). It is by far one of my favourite times of year, and this time was no different. There was a plethora of Wakeboarding (I was able to get up again after a few years of being out cause of my shoulder), Waterskiing, Parasailing, Waterfall exploring, and Campfire talking; which have always been intriguing, to say the least, with my family.
It has been within these conversations I find a lot of wrestling with my own beliefs about God, the church and our purpose as such on this earth, Politics, etcetera, while I listen and sometimes engage in my elders discussions. Constantly I'm reminded how much my views on all of it differs from theirs. Many of them definitely have a more economically conservative, pro-military, "be good, and you're acting like a Christian" mindsets.
A few of my friends are heading into the military and constantly Old Testament quotations are thrown at me to condone military action, and I constantly head to the New Testament where time and time again Jesus says "You have heard its said....but I tell you...". We are called to be different, radically different. To love our enemies and pray for those that do evil against us. To forgive, because retribution is God's. To care for the burdened, down-trodden, the lost. How has it ever gotten to the point, that we have been so self-oriented and forgetful of the things that God has called for us?
"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12 v. 16-18
