"The Fourth Man"

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

As much as I want to respond to the reflection booklet's call to living a spiritual life and engaging with God and His call, I can't help thinking about today's reading of Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego which I will henceforth call The Three because their names are hard to spell and I am tired.

I think about how I think a lot of modern people of faith take the wrong lesson from the story of The Three -- the story to be stubborn and defiant and loudly declare your ideals and never ever compromise them.  That doesn't really sound bad, but what if Nebuchadnezzer isn't there threatening you?

It's easy when there's a clear-cut, two-option choice that directly conflicts with one of your core beliefs.  What were The Three like on a regular Tuesday?

I am tired of the no-compromise screaming going on in this country on both sides, but I'm particularly sensitive to the no tolerance of prominent Christians because those are my people dragging my religion through the mud.

But I do admire The Three's actions.  They stood up to tyranny.  Tyranny that was trying to take something precious.  Tyranny that was trying to rip their faith from them.

Not stop them from forcing their faith on others.  Not force them to be in the presence of people of different faiths.  No, The Three (and God) only stood up in heroic defiance when their own faith was on the table.  They didn't scream at others, they didn't tear down the idols of their hosts (kind word for it).  They stood quietly and defiantly for their own rights.

Anybody could be on board for that.

Because I think that if there's an idol most prevalent in our time, it's the sound of our own voices.  We worship our own righteousness and our smug declaration of it.  I'm guilty, you can see in parts of this very entry.

What was threatened for The Three was their own connection and relationship to God.  That is unquestionably worth standing up for, worth dying for, and that is what will be preserved and displayed for all to see when you take a stand for it.  But, if your own relationship to God is strong and safe, you don't have to go seeking persecution.  That doesn't illuminate your faith or raise your religion higher.

Brave the flames because they are trying to take something precious from you, not because of who is watching.