Reflections From Sunday Evening

Like most people I have been reading about and praying for Syrian refugees. This has become a central part of our national conversation as politicians read polls and opinion surveys. There seems to be an emerging sentiment among the American public that would call on our nation to not receive Syrian refugees. It goes without saying that no one would want Islamic terrorists to be brought to live among us. Many of the people fleeing Syria are Muslim and there are also a number of Christians seeking to escape the war and oppression in Syria. Another commentary suggests that Muslims do not share our American values. This is a reason to keep the Syrians away from America. At this point I need to interject that while there are certainly Muslim values that are not consistent with American values the same could be said for Christians. As Christians we know that our first and single allegiance and loyalty is to Jesus Christ. Our nation was founded on Christian principles and vestiges of these principles continue to be woven into the fabric of our American experience. We always worship God and not nation. There are economic values where Christianity challenges the America values of consumerism and accumulation. Christians value generosity. Our value of free speech where we claim the right to say anything could be challenged with the Christian value to let praise come from our lips but not cursing. We have the right to say what we believe but Christians guard what comes from us. Another value we seem to hold as Americans is safety and security. I am not sure about everyone but I place a high value on safety and security. I would go so far as to suggest this is the primary purpose of government. With that said I realize that the values of safety and security do not seem to rise from the scriptures or the heart of God. I definitely pray for protection and God's hand to hold me firmly. But our Christian value is to live for others. When Jesus told us to go into all the world and make disciples he did not promise security but rather his presence. I circle back to the Syrian refugees. I believe our Christian value of hospitality and welcoming the stranger is a higher value than protecting us from potential threats. That is difficult for me to say but it is true. We must guard ourselves against making decisions based on fear. We are people of faith. That may be the largest value difference for us to recognize. blessings, steve