Saturday, February 6, 2010

Do What Is Right

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will." -- Romans 12:2

I had a dream last night so vivid that I woke up and immediately wanted to check the newspaper to make sure it was a dream and not reality. Has that ever happened to you? It really was a dream. And it was an indictment of where we are today as Christians.

Every day USA Today has a little blurb, ranging from how many people think airports should use body scanners to telling us how much money each individual owes on the federal deficit. In my dream, the newspaper asked people if they would be give an extra 20 percent in taxes if it would guarantee that everyone would have both a job and medical care. Not insurance. Medical care. The answer was alarming and Christians led the way. In my dream, 44 percent said no, 37 percent were undecided and the remainder said yes.

I guess I will never understand why Christians are opposed to a plan to provide medical care to the working poor. The excuse is always money. That's true but it's not the federal deficit they're worried about. We don't seem to be willing to give up some of what God has given us to help others who haven't received as much. And that goes against everything the Bible says. I don't want to hear the charges of socialism or higher deficits or any other excuse. None of that should matter to Christians.

It's not that I am immune to the money issues. As someone who is self-employed and pays way too much for health insurance, I realize that any plan likely will raise my rates. But I also strongly believe something a former pastor said one Sunday. The church was in a tizzy over whether it had the money to do something or not. I don't even remember what it was now that church members were fussing about. I do remember what the pastor said. He said he didn't worry about money because if God calls us to do something, He'll provide the money. He suggested everyone pray to know God's will and the rest would sort itself out. It's true. When God wants something done He always provides the way for it to be done.

So where are the prayers? Are we simply going along with the status quo because Christians are supposed to be Republicans and Republicans are opposed to paying higher taxes no matter the reason? Or are we asking God what He wants us to do? And are we listening when He answers?

I don't have any solutions to this touchy issue. But I do have a well-worn Bible that tells me clearly what Jesus would do. Sometimes following Him means leaving the status quo behind and making the sacrifices necessary to do what is right.