We’ve all had the experience of waking up while travelling and taking a moment or two to realize where we are, and to orient ourselves to our new surroundings. The slumbering Church, by and large, remains somnolent and unaware of the new address to which God has moved them. In our dream state we see ourselves residing at our old address, identified with our American culture and failing to see that God has relocated us to the larger world where our neighbors are oppressed and hungry and ill and living in poverty. We have been moved to a new neighborhood and just don’t know it yet. Welcome to Injusticeville.
For our worship to reflect the glory of the God we serve, we must be fully awake and locate ourselves in the God’s world. Mark Labberton leads us in his fifth chapter to rouse ourselves and to identify ourselves as a part of a new neighborhood filled with God’s people rather than remaining frozen in the comfort zone that we self selected. Coming to know and love our neighbors moves us to action in restoring justice in their lives, as God’s heart controls our own. We are woken up and, as our eyes adjust to our surroundings, God’s immense perspective becomes ours.
Is your alarm set?
LOVE | ACCEPT | FORGIVE 