Mercy Res(tr)ung

by Brooke Bergan
Published March 14, 2006

Awhile back, I went alone to my local church to work on Power Point files. I settled into a chair next to the computer and just as I began to work, noticed something odd. A noise, strangely familiar and yet out of place, was coming through the main sanctuary speakers. Being the emergency soundperson that I am, I reached over and turned up the volume. Imagine my surprise when the first words I heard were, "Can you hear me?" I almost jumped out of my chair. Then I realized the words belonged to a popular song entitled, "Silent Running (Dangerous Ground)" by Mike and the Mechanics. Apparently a microphone receiver had picked up on a popular radio station frequency and begun broadcasting it through the speakers.

After I finished laughing, a thought struck me. The words to that song's chorus go like this:

"Can you hear me? Can you hear me running? Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?"

This, of course, sparked an idea for an article. Originally I planned to write about hearing the subtle cries of those in our church who are troubled in life and seek help and support from those offering peace. However, after doing an internet search for the lyrics to the song I heard, my article took a whole new twist. The song deals with a family living in war-torn times and how they cope with their lifestyle. While I won't type the full lyrics here, a good place to read them is here. I highly recommend you check it out, then come back to the rest of this article, or right click the link and open it in a new window.

So what does this song tell me? We are still living in war-torn times. I'm speaking not just of physical wars between nations, but also about a spiritual war that exists every day and in every place, even in our churches. While we as Christians are engrossed in our worship services and fellowship, many around us are desperate for the peace and joy we so often take for granted. It seems many times we go to church, greet our friends (and if we're especially kind, a few strangers), take our seats, worship God, then leave to eat out with our usual friends. But what about the others? The outcasts, the rejects, the homeless? What about those who use drugs or take part in gang activities? How about the gays and the lesbians? Do we love them like God does? Or are we repulsed by them? What would happen if God refused to associate with us because of His repulsion to sin? After all, our sins are just as repulsive to Him, if not more so, as the sins of those deemed unacceptable are to us. My guess is we're not as repulsed by sin as we think we are. I believe that, for many of us, an honest search of our inner motives would reveal that we just don't like to spend time with weird people. What would our spouses, our children, and our fellow Christians think if they saw us hanging out with crooks and thieves? What did the religious people of Christ's day think when He spent time with prostitutes and the other so-called "sinners?" If we are called of God to reach the lost and spread the hope of His gospel to the world, why do we not start with those least likely to hear it? Why do we offer health to the healthy, encouragement to the joyful, and love to the loved?

I don't have the answers to these questions, but I do know how to respond from now on when people accuse me of hanging with the wrong crowd. All I need to do is follow Jesus' example and say, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." (Luke 5:31 NIV)

Lord, sometimes it's tempting to ignore those who are different from me or those caught up in sinful lifestyles that seem repulsive to those around me. Sometimes, I confess, I give in to that temptation, even though I know it is wrong. Forgive me, and make me a willing servant. Send me, Lord, to boldy preach Your true gospel of hope, joy, and peace to those caught in the clutches of sin. Remind me the next time I'm tempted to ignore a person in need of salvation that I too would be caught up in countless sins if not for Your mercy and Your perfect example on earth of calling sinners like myself to a more holy and enjoyable life. Thank You for answering this prayer, and thank You for Your love and mercy towards each of us You proudly call Your own. In Jesus' name, amen."

Viewed 275 times