Christian Conundrums – For Convenience’s Sake

Blame MLK For This One

I was reflecting on my reading consumption of late, and I must confess I’m rather pleased with how much I’m consuming.

Yet I know I could do a bit better in finishing some of the ones I start and stop to read others. So, for example, having mentioned it a while back I am still reading Michael Eric Dyson’s perspective on Martin Luther King – I May Not Get There With You. I’ve had it for a while now and it’s only been this week that I’ve made renewed efforts to plough through it. Don’t worry, I’ve renewed it at the library – indeed my library record at Bletchley so far is all clean and good … so far. Can I get an amen? (“Hallelujah!” shouts my bank manager and wife as they do the Holy Ghost three step.)

Anyhow, back on the book – and trust me I didn’t know until I was reading it that today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day across the pond – almost as if divine forces conspired … nah, couldn’t be. Despite the time it’s taking, the read is worthwhile and I look to post the book review of it on completion. There was something I was reading just today that arrested my attention. (I wasn’t released on bail either, that’s why I’m writing this blog!) Allow me to paint the picture in a suitable metaphor in a story.

Trouble At The Company

Imagine you are working for a Company. You are in the post department and you are considered to be lower than any of the administrative and executive officers, let alone the key decision makers at board level. You are an postal worker and you should know your place. Not only that, however, but your pay and work conditions are horrendous with no hope in sight.

Despite appeals from workers and unions years before you it is to little avail. Company Executives refer often to work convention to reinforce the status quo despite some pleasant and well meaning CEO’s or other Board officers, little to no change has been effected. Yet when the Company is in a tight spot your services are required at a sacrificial level even beyond that of others above your pay scale. Of course you could quit, but there are no viable alternatives of employment available.

So you struggle in the Company’s harsh environment continually chipping away in the hope that your plight will be recognised for what it is and against all hope that your goal of fair treatment will be taken up. After bitter years of hardship and struggle a light shines in the end of the tunnel (and it’s not an onrushing train) and a new management indicate there could be positive changes in the system. It may not change the perception of you entirely and full justice may not be granted overnight, but at long last some positive steps that acknowledge the injustice are being taken and perhaps those who work in the postal department after you will get a fairer share of the profits and a better working environment with pay to match.

It is a tentative stage and not everyone agrees with the move, but there is enough goodwill on the part of enough people to suggest that a change could be on the way.

Just when contracts are about to be signed and changes effected it comes to your attention that the Company are promoting practices that unfairly treat others. Not only that but the policy requires again sacrificial commitment by those in the postal department and in fact jeopardises the budget available for effecting real change for those in that department.

So what do you do? Do you risk the good will of the company executives who are doing something never before even dreamed of by previous postal workers? Do you put that at risk by pointing out this other case of wrongdoing? Do you potentially put the kibbosh on something your colleagues have been suffering for after so long just because you’re looking out for the interests of those who don’t even work for the Company?

The Conundrum Today

I can appreciate that for the sake of convenience, it would be easy to keep a lid on your objections to the unrighteous policies of the Company. It would be understandable to turn a blind eye in the pursuit of just getting the deal pushed through.

I can understand that because I can be a compliant person. I guess my predisposition is not geared towards confrontation and challenge that much, so if I can avoid it, I will do so.

That would be fine. If it wasn’t for that Holy Spirit.

Some Biblically Inconvenient Examples

I was reminded of Matthew 14 and the recall of how John the Baptist (obviously head of the Baptist church that was named after him! Church joke, obviously) met his end proving once more that you don’t get ahead if you trifle with the authorities. Though he didn’t get ahead, Herod’s daughter certainly did. (Hey it’s gallows humour that lightens up these proceedings sometimes, especially if you get a headache. OK enough with the head gags.) I read that scene and think to myself, just think of all the bother that John could have saved himself if just for the sake of convenience he could keep his political and spiritual opinions to himself.

Even Paul at times could have saved himself some hassle if he’d have taken some easy options during his journeys. Just for the sake of convenience, if he could have just kept it down with the gospel demands or the demands to see people in Rome to share.

Even the Lord Jesus Christ could have done his PR the world of good if for the sake of convenience he could have kept the message of the Kingdom to pretty things of people getting on together and getting healed and stuff like that. Especially if he could have avoided Sabbath demonstrations, he could have saved himself so much grief. If He could have kept that bit out about eating His body and drinking His blood He may not have been met with so much hostility, rejection, confusion and eventual killing.

I hope you get the point – for the sake of convenience we can maintain that quiet life that we’re all looking for. No need to rock the boat too much. Give us a little pep talk about how things are going to be better and then exit stage left to little hassle and we’re all alright.

Oh but for the Holy Spirit, eh. He continues to prompt people for the sake of the Kingdom to proclaim things that are inconvenient. Just when it was safe to settle into comfort, we are challenged on our weak areas to see if this righteousness or good feeling is consistent all over. All well and good talking about fairness, but where is that in personal relationships? Where is that when it comes to your own affairs? Where is that when the rubber hits the road and your values are challenged by the sake of convenience.

The Conundrum – In A Very Real Way

That’s not an issue I grapple with on an intellectual level alone – it’s not airy-fairy-theory. Consider how church spends its budgets to maintain systems and structures that run counter to Her mission. Consider how my community will make decisions on cuts that will affect the least more than anyone else. Consider how the treatment of one of my children at school could be contended at the risk of the contentment of my other child.

That is the tip of the iceberg.

I do believe the wisdom of God guides you to choose your battles carefully – but that does not always mean those battles are chosen conveniently. Indeed if biblical example is anything to go by, it’s almost a prerequisite for them to be inconvenient. (Did someone mention somewhere about those persecuted for righteousness’ sake? I wonder if that calls for standing up against the sake of convenience from time to time? Let’s hope not, eh? Some hope.)

So reading about Martin Luther King Jr.’s own struggle with that issue when it came to the civil rights and the peace movement brought home again that the call to the Kingdom sometimes doing things that goes against doing it for the sake of convenience.

God give me and my brethren the strength to live by your principles for the glory of your kingdom, even when it’s inconvenient.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd