He writes of things and people and events and circumstances that “help us untether our imagination from the tyranny of the status quo.” (Excerpt From: Brian Zahnd. “Beauty Will Save the World.”) I confess that I would never have thought of that on my own but now that I have been exposed to the thought, I am somewhat challenged by it. “The tyranny of the status quo.” It has a nice ring to it but if you pause to think about it long enough it’s like a punch to the solar plexus – ouch!
As I think about it, I think I think that Christians may well be one of the groups living under the “tyranny of the status quo.” Take right to life issues for instance. Remember how the church was initially engaged in this battle for the unborn and compare that with the lack of passion for this issue today. At last year’s Life Chain there were fewer than 12 people from Parkview joining in the silent witness to the tragedy of abortion. One might well think the church has “given up.” I hear people say, “Well, that’s just the way it is!” “What can we do?” “It is what it is.” In other words, “the tyranny of the status quo.”
While the “woke movement,” the “cancel culture,” and other such movements are engaging, actually changing, the “status quo” with a vengeance, indeed, dismantling many of the practices they find objectionable, the people of God seem to be paralyzed by fear and/or confusion. Years ago, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other civil rights leaders changed this country for the better. Madalyn Murray O'Hair and other activists brought an end to prayer and Bible reading in the government schools (then called the public schools) while the church slept. Same sex marriage and transgender activists have changed the moral landscape of the United States while the people of God avoided the engagement perhaps out of fear of being seen as extremists and bigots.
Jesus came into a world much like the world in which we live. The people were living under “the tyranny of the status quo” and just trying to make the best of a bad situation. His first message, according to Matthew’s gospel record was to say, “You have heard . . . but I say to you . . . (Matthew 5:21, 22). Talk about “rocking the boat!” His message was like a moral tsunami to His listeners! Matthew goes on to say (Matthew 7:28-29), “When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”
Of course, they finally killed Jesus. There is that, after all. I don't have all the answers to this challenge. However, I am praying that God will give me the courage to rise above the “tyranny of the status quo” and to seek to do His will in all things . . . regardless of the cost. Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Help me, Father, to believe that is true! Amen.
On the journey . . .
JKW
As I think about it, I think I think that Christians may well be one of the groups living under the “tyranny of the status quo.” Take right to life issues for instance. Remember how the church was initially engaged in this battle for the unborn and compare that with the lack of passion for this issue today. At last year’s Life Chain there were fewer than 12 people from Parkview joining in the silent witness to the tragedy of abortion. One might well think the church has “given up.” I hear people say, “Well, that’s just the way it is!” “What can we do?” “It is what it is.” In other words, “the tyranny of the status quo.”
While the “woke movement,” the “cancel culture,” and other such movements are engaging, actually changing, the “status quo” with a vengeance, indeed, dismantling many of the practices they find objectionable, the people of God seem to be paralyzed by fear and/or confusion. Years ago, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other civil rights leaders changed this country for the better. Madalyn Murray O'Hair and other activists brought an end to prayer and Bible reading in the government schools (then called the public schools) while the church slept. Same sex marriage and transgender activists have changed the moral landscape of the United States while the people of God avoided the engagement perhaps out of fear of being seen as extremists and bigots.
Jesus came into a world much like the world in which we live. The people were living under “the tyranny of the status quo” and just trying to make the best of a bad situation. His first message, according to Matthew’s gospel record was to say, “You have heard . . . but I say to you . . . (Matthew 5:21, 22). Talk about “rocking the boat!” His message was like a moral tsunami to His listeners! Matthew goes on to say (Matthew 7:28-29), “When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”
Of course, they finally killed Jesus. There is that, after all. I don't have all the answers to this challenge. However, I am praying that God will give me the courage to rise above the “tyranny of the status quo” and to seek to do His will in all things . . . regardless of the cost. Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Help me, Father, to believe that is true! Amen.
On the journey . . .
JKW
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