I was watching the news the other night and the hot topic of the day, illegal immigration, was up to bat. Most of the commentators on that night were screaming and hollering that our border security is a joke and something must be done about it 'right now!'. We have over 11 million illegals in the US currently and there is no plan to make them 'lega'l without stepping on the toes of others that are currently waiting in line and going about coming to this county through the proper channels (you know, like the 19 hijackers did). It seems that the current firestorm is really pretty simple: We have a great country, a land of opportunity. Those from countries without much hope for progress in the near future , i.e. jobs and education, are wanting to get here quickly and see if they can make it. Now, however, their feeling have been hurt because the President, who speaks better Spanish than English, and the Congress, who never saw a vote they wouldn't bow to, want to tighten the border and make things a little more orderly. The 'problem' of illegal immigration is found in several issues.
* One, they are taking up jobs and allowing employers to pay less money than they otherwise would if say, Unions were involved.
* Two, there is the chance that people that want to do us harm could just walk across the border and commence to the harm-doing.
* Three, our taxes are paying for the education and health care of these illegals and by golly, we can't be wasting tax dollars on.... people.
Now I understand the desire for people to feel safe. I was all for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I don't know if I was right, but what's done is done. I also understand the need for order and for things to go through the proper channels. I mean we all love doing our taxes because it's so easy and uncomplicated. Plus, it is a bit annoying that when I'm trying to read the directions for the latest, 'I don't need that' gadget that I've purchased, I don't like having to shuffle through the five languages that are provided just hoping English has been included among them. I also don't like people protesting and waving the flag of the country they risked their lives fleeing from while they complain about the one they fled to illegally. Not sure that elevator's reaching the top floor for me. So, I guess I'm for reform because our government really gets with the program when they reform things and it makes life better for all of us. *Cough*
I don't have the answers for this problem ( I think all the people on Fox and CNN do), but I do have some thoughts. Let's bring Church and State back together for the moment. I think the Church acts just like the State when it comes to 'illegals' coming in from the outside and braving the light of day to darken our church doors. A friend of mine asked me recently, 'Who is church for?' I thought the question was profound so I engaged in some discourse about the matter. We agreed that most of the time, Church is for those who go to church... you know who you are. We learn about things that will make us better Church goers, better tithers, better song leaders, better tellers of funny Bible Stories, etc. But I don't know if any of the Churches I attend are for smokers, drinkers, porn addicts, cursers, divorcees, homeless or just otherwise dirty, nasty and not-pleasant-to-be-around-when-among-friends type of people. You see, I think when people like that show up and are found out they become 'Illegal Congregates' (is that even a word... spell check says no). They didn't apply to come. They weren't properly screened. They haven't attended the 'How to be a good ________ (fill in the denomination) class. But more over they now want their problems to become our problems. We might actually have to deal with things like pornography, cursing, drinking and other 'straight-to-hell' activities. We wouldn't be able to talk about how great we are without having these miscreants bothering about with 'real world issues'. Didn't Jesus say we were all 'Aliens in a strange land'? And what does James have to say about such snobbery?
James 2: 1-13
"1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,"[a] you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, "Do not commit adultery,"[b] also said, "Do not murder."[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
Yet another oldy but a goody is James 1: 27
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Maybe the problem is that there should be different churches for different needs. Maybe instead of Baptist, Quaker, Methodist, Mennonite, Nazarene, etc. we should really have, Bi-polar, Drinkers, Cussers, Homeless, Widows, Orphans (what would they do during children's church? Hmmm), etc. Or maybe we should be united in these three things: Love God, Fellowship with Brothers (and sisters) and Make Disciples of Christ. I'm not sure we're ready for that kind of reform. I'm not trying to judge because I could easily quote Paul and say, 'I am the worst of sinners!'. At times, I think it might be true so the high horse I'm riding in on is actually a small pony and frankly he thinks I'm fat and wants me off. Let's just be careful about how we separate Church from State. If we really think the Church is different then by all means would it kill us to act that way?
Some words to the wise from the unwise: Pastors, pick it up a notch.... I can sleep at home. Greeters, look for the ugly people and treat them like a long lost friend. Ushers, smile at everyone whether they put money in or not. Musicians, play louder! Stewards, relaaaaaaaax, He owns 'the cattle on a thousand hills' and if the church is in good standing with the Lord, have some faith and make the best of what you have and wait for the rest.... it's coming. Attendees, quit waiting for 'the paid people' to minister. Be nice to each other and welcome all who are brave enough to enter 'your space'. There should be plenty of room for everyone. Look at Wyoming for crying out loud. Besides if sinners can't come to Church what are you going to do this Sunday?
