All day I have been awaiting the result of a
vote at the national membership meeting of the Boy Scouts of America where they
were deciding on a new policy for membership opening the doors to
openly homosexual youth. They claim that it is only about the boys, but most reasonably informed individuals know that this is only a first step in opening membership to leadership as well. This is something which some on the executive board tried to accomplish earlier in the year but were unable to bring to pass. This time it won't happen by board action or even a vote, but by the hands of a judge.
I've been a part of Scouting for
nearly thirty years as they stood for values that paralleled those I found in
Scripture. Though many of the units are chartered by churches, Scouting itself is not a Christian organization, but rather one has held that one must merely have some belief in God. As we
know there are many who profess to believe in God, but who live as if He doesn't exist or as if what He says in His word is only advisory at best. For
them, right is what they determine in their own eyes, and from them we should
not be surprised by the vote today which changed Scouting in the most radical of
ways.
As a result of this vote there are some who are coming together to consider forming a new organization which more tightly defines
and controls its values, one for which faith in God is not a thing but a
reality. There are others who are seeking legal means to protect their beliefs and their charter organizations, yet remain with Scouting. For us, today’s vote, short of a major development, will likely lead to our stepping away by the end of this year. Going to a meeting tonight and seeing the excitement in the boys, yet knowing what is going on at the core of Scouting has made this a very difficult thing for us to watch, but God...
Today Sarah writes about hidden
treasures in our day, some of which are intended to shake us free of things and
some which are intended to bring joy by their sheer presence. This change to
Scouting is one that is a trial in which many will have to kneel before God and
ask how He would want them to move forward. But regardless of what happens to
Scouting nothing has happened to our God, His Truth, and His Plans. Scouting is
not my life, but merely an opportunity to be used by Him to build into others.
And if not Scouting, then I know He has something even better.
In this people can become
greatly distressed and panic or they can go before God and find hope. The same is true for
anything that we are a part of or which we treasure. When those things become
so big that changing them rocks our world, then we need to step back and
refocus on those things in light of our God. Yesterday I used the word
“ominous” when referring to those things of the world pressing in. A friend of
mine told me that reading it sent him on a nice journey as he reflected on his
omini-God. Here is what he had to say: “It took me to 4 ominis: His omini
presence, potency, science and loving. You put those all together and they
stand up against all of this world’s ominous actions.”
Today in “Jesus Calling” by
Sarah Young (5/23)
Approach each new day with
desire to find Me. Before you get out of bed, I have already been working to
prepare the path that will get you through this day. There are hidden treasures
strategically placed along the way. Some of the treasures are trials, designed
to shake you free from earth-shackles. Others are blessings that reveal My
Presence: sunshine, flowers, birds, friendships, answered prayer. I have not
abandoned this sin-wracked world; I am still richly present in it.
Search for deep treasure as you
go through this day. You will find Me all along the way.
My purpose is that they may be
encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches
of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God,
namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2-3
He will be the sure foundation
for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of
the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6
No comments:
Post a Comment