Mark Sorensen Whiplash.
It seems to be what many are suffering at the moment in regards to World Vision and their recently recanted stance on the hiring of same sex married couples within its organization. The initial reaction to World Vision’s decision was not silent by any means. In a Huffington post article published on Thursday, it was shared that, “World Vision, one of the largest international relief organizations, was both cheered by LGBT advocates and heavily criticized by conservative Christians when it announced its first change to allow married LGBT employees.” Clearly, the response has been varied and loud on both fronts.
So… let’s recap. Not even a week ago, World Vision had a policy, a belief, a mission statement. Then, a change, a new direction, a different road, a new path, a new mission. Now? “Oops. Our bad.” Back to their original policy.
Sadly, the fallout has been even worse on the other side of the reversed decision. Honestly? It breaks my heart. All of it. And I think it breaks the heart of our Father, as well.
I have been reading through Philippians recently and came across the following from Paul.
“So here is what I want you to do: conduct yourselves as true and worthy citizens of the Anointed’s gospel, so that whether I make it or don’t make it to see you, I will at least hear that you continue to stand, united in one spirit, single-minded in purpose as you struggle together for the faith in the gospel.” Philippians 1:27 (Voice)
There’s a lot of big themed words inside this passage. Words like, “stand“, “united in one spirit“, and “single minded in purpose“. But my eyes fell on the following phrase this morning
“as you struggle together for the faith in the gospel.”
It certainly fits the week in the news.
Can I say it? Let’s not get distracted. Let’s not pull our chairs away from the table and walk away from the love, grace, mercy, truth, and forgiveness found at the feet of Jesus. Paul was saying to the church of Philippi that you must be rooted into the foundation that comes in living as Jesus lived and loving out this message through his words and teachings. Live lives that portray the message of Christ and don’t retreat from His words, instead, bind yourselves together in this truth and live out of this faith in love.
Of course, the reality in living out Christ’s perfect message is that we’re imperfect people, flawed and broken. We don’t have to look very far to learn this truth. However, it’s the Holy Spirit that binds, speaks, guides. Our role? We must stay centered into the truth found in God’s Word. There will be opposition. It will be a struggle. We mustn’t be surprised when adversity comes. The bigger picture? These are the ways the enemy distracts, attacks, and pulls apart God’s children.
As I look at the aftermath of the World Vision stances the week has brought, I am heart broken for all sides. Let’s not forget. At the center? The sponsorship of children whom, many were sponsored and added as a result of the decision stated by World Vision last Tuesday, that now are in jeopardy of being dropped because of World Vision’s newest decision to revert back to the original mission.
Let’s not give the enemy the foothold here. Instead of rocks and sides, let’s ask a greater question. How can we, as God’s chosen, love well in the midst of this controversy and portray Jesus in the way we all approach the table together?
Let’s not get distracted. There’s Kingdom building that needs to be done.
