Refiner's Fire

Thank you, dear readers, for your patience.  I like to be consistent in my postings, but having moved cross country from Idaho to Tennessee, it's been a challenge!  

It's interesting to move to a place where the evidence of Christianity is everywhere. Just like in Idaho, there are numerous churches.  In Idaho, it was the LDS church that made its presence greatly felt; here in Tennessee, you find a plethora of Baptist churches.  

People are polite here.  They smile, call you "honey" and have a friendliness that is very endearing.  Idaho used to be like that.  When we first moved there 25 years ago from northern California, it was refreshingly nice.  People looked you in the eye, smiled and said, "hello." I felt we had died and gone to heaven.

Change is inevitable, to be sure, but it's the kind of change that can be discouraging.  Idaho experienced a boom in population that I have never seen before.  After Covid, our state was flooded by people who were disgusted with how their governments handled the epidemic. For some, it was the final straw.  

We came to Idaho after 9/11 caused my husband to lose his job in telecommunications. HP in Boise offered him a job and we are forever grateful to God for opening up that door to us. 

Around 2020, we saw a shift. People no longer looked you in the eye or smiled; they didn't say, "hello" and seemed almost offended if you did. The drivers became more aggressive, bullying you by tailgating and some used the interstate to race other like-minded individuals.

My son-in-law calls the problem a "scarcity of resources."  If we cannot get what we want or need, a certain kind of desperation sets in, and we justify becoming meaner, more aggressive and less caring about other people. I experienced this trying to go to the head of the line at a restaurant, where my husband was waiting, having dropped him off to go and find a parking spot.  The people in front of me would not move, and I had to inch my way around them, despite telling them my husband was up at the front.  They assumed that I was (a) pulling a fast one (b) trying to take their spot, and because the restaurant was crowded, and they'd have to wait even longer, or (c) didn't want to be bothered by me or my request. 

People from states where "dog eat dog" is the norm, politeness is seen as weakness.  Everybody's just trying to survive in those states where taxes are high, everywhere is crowded, housing is expensive and crime is rife. Trust no one and just get it done

Idaho is different.  It is largely faith-based, and people believe that other people matter.  But there is a significant number of people who bring a different value system with them, and it contrasts greatly with what Idaho is all about. 

Tennessee has that same Idaho vibe, but it is much stronger.  

Resources here are not scarce.  Housing is still somewhat affordable, but some of that is changing due to people coming in from out of state with money to spare and that has had some affect on housing prices.  But people are still able to do what they need to, and you don't sense an overwhelming competitive spirit here. 

So.  What does have to do with our focus on God's justice and His prophets, specifically, Micah?

It's easy to be a believer when the larger society agrees with the values you hold.  

When people are polite. 

When they stop for you at the side of the road when you have car trouble.

When they hold the door for you when you are juggling several bags of groceries. 

In other words, it is easy to walk in faith when those around you share a common ground. But what happens when a society shifts into a more self-focused attitude, and people see you as an impediment, not a fellow human being?

That's when you lean into Jesus. More and more.  Longer and longer. In other, words, you can't draw water from society's well, and because it is no longer heathy for your soul, you seek the Living Water.  Often.  Every hour. 

Think of our persecuted brothers and sisters across the world for whom their faith in Christ can cost them their jobs, family and even their lives.

How do they endure?  

They lean into Jesus with all their heart, soul and and spirit. Maybe that is why God in the Hebrew Scriptures and Jesus' reiteration in the New Testament focuses on the whole person--mind, soul spirit--being totally dependent on God.

Society in Micah's day was careening towards judgement because the people had decided that pagan values were far more advantageous that following Yahweh.  But I suspect there were people in Micah's day who had not walked away and who leaned into Yahweh with everything they had, especially as things deteriorated morally. 

Persecution has the curious habit of separating those who are moral because they are surrounded by like-minded individuals from those who, no matter what is going on around them, depend on God for everything they are, say and do. 

Maybe that is why God allows persecution of His church, for it refines His children's faith into something more precious than gold. His children value Him above all else, and as a result, they radiate His love, kindness and wisdom as they walk in a hostile society. 

People see their joy.  Their hope.  Their willingness to speak the truth in love.  

The Refiner's fire would one day burn as Micah continued to preach. 

The Refiner's fire will burn in our future.

In the meantime, lean into Jesus.  Longer.  Every day, every hour. 

Keep preaching the Gospel, not with fiery speeches, but by radiating Jesus in everything you are, say and do.