Spring 2008

With apologies for misquoting Shakespeare I have been reflecting recently on how appropriate it is for the followers of Jesus to register objection and disagreement quite as often as we do. Firstly I perhaps should acknowledge that I can be a bit of a soft touch! In the past I have been very willing to join in with the latest cause and add my name to the petition, to sign the prepared postcard and even write an occasional letter to my MP (making careful use of the notes provided by the relevant organisation). The Honourable Gentleman is clearly a very conscientious man. He runs a busy office and his annual House of Commons expenses return evidences his determination to respond fully to as much correspondence as possible. In many cases, I have to admit, such responses are far from helpful and, as a friend of mine recently said, sometimes I just wish he would drop me a postcard which says ‘thanks for your letter, Peter, I agree.’ But no, such simplicity doesn’t seem to be on the agenda, such agreement not easily forthcoming and in a sense my frustration is compounded.
But that is not what I want to concentrate upon. My point for today is not that I can’t seem to get agreement about the issues that influence my protests, be it abortion, euthanasia, Jerry Springer the Opera or whatever, my point is that perhaps we are too quick, too ready, too ‘religious’ about protesting.

This quandary came to light for me recently during our annual DEEPER studies in Warwick. For the benefit of the few who haven’t heard, DEEPER is part of our church’s attempt to offer serious, in-depth, biblical study from some of the finest evangelical minds of today.

This year we enjoyed the ministry of Steve Brady, principal of Moorlands Bible College and now the person responsible for causing my reflective dilemma.

You see, almost in passing, Steve made the point that perhaps the church of today sees its priority more as a protest movement than a gospel people. That came at me like a bolt of lightening and caused me to stop and think about my personal motivation for protesting and adding to my MP’s bulging post-bag. Please don’t get me wrong, I do believe very strongly that the church of today has stayed silent far too often and we are now suffering from the consequences of that. We are struggling in our attempt to reclaim the ground of a human conscience for our nation. But are we, am I, more committed to making a fuss than I am to following Jesus?

As Easter is with us, once again we read Isaiah’s prophetic words of one who was oppressed and afflicted yet who did not open his mouth. He offers us a picture of one who, like a sheep before her shearers, remained silent. In the midst of protest and disagreement, is that the model I follow? Or am I too taken up by the eagerness of making a noise that I try to fill Christ’s sheep like silence with my own perpetual bleating?

As Christians we are first called to love the Lord God with a fervent passion. As part of that, as far as I can make out from scripture, we are to follow the example of Jesus in every way we possibly can. Yes he turned the tables, he upset the money-lenders, he stood up for justice, but principally he did so because those against whom he acted were stopping others from worship of the living God. Jesus’ task, and every aspect of his example, was to demonstrate an active, living love for his Father and to help us to draw near to him in every part of life. But are we listening?

Steve Brady’s point was not to stop Christians protesting but to challenge us to check out our motivation for doing so. Is that letter or will the addition of my name to the petition, serve God and bring honour to the name of the Lord Jesus, or will it just add to my own sense of self importance?

How anxious are we not to lose sight of our over-whelming calling to live in a Christ-like way in every situation we encounter? Steve acknowledged that whilst protest might, quite rightly, be something we engage in, particularly for the benefit of others who don’t have as clear a voice as we enjoy, that protest should never obstruct or diminish our first task of being Christ-like.

Easter is always a great time to reflect upon how Christ-like we have been and what differences we might try to make for the months ahead. I’ve failed in many areas to follow his example or to offer him my wholehearted worship. Perhaps now, before I write that letter or rehearse my argument of objection against my MP I can ask Jesus what he would have me do or say. I just hope and pray that, despite my protests, he won’t remain silent.