Under God?Exemplo

They Can’t Outlaw This

There was a story in the New York Times recently called The Power of a Dinner Table. It printed in the same paper, on the same day, with the same ink as stories crammed with nasty accusations of politicians doing this or not doing that. The writer, David Brooks, wrote from his experience of consistently going to dinner on Thursday nights at the home of his friends, Kathy and David. But it’s not just dinner for three. Between 15-20 teens and a handful of adults all cram in to share a meal. This has been going on for a while now. Birthday candles have been blown, graduation gowns donned, and college applications sent off. Most Thursdays, many of the teens opt to stay the night.

There’s something consistent about these kids, writes David. They’ve “endured the ordeals of modern poverty: homelessness, hunger, abuse, sexual assault.” Yet despite being failed by adults, these kids call Kathy and David “Momma” and “Dad.” They share their dreams, confess their shortcomings, and even pocket their smartphones for the entire evening.  

So what are Kathy and David up to? Are they taking advantage of some new law passed by the party they voted for? Are they volunteering with a program for disadvantaged teens? What about the kids? Are they getting a second chance because someone finally fixed the education system or brought prayer back into schools? Any of those things would be great, but that’s not what’s happening. Bill, one of the adult dinner eaters, says these kids are being helped by regular people, “willing to walk through the shadow of the valley of adolescence with them.” Brooks, the New York Times writer, eloquently sums it up for us.

“Souls are not saved in bundles. Love is the necessary force.”  –David Brooks

Brooks is right. This kind of soul saving happens one relationship at a time. You know what else? There’s no law against love. And no matter who leads your country, they can never outlaw God, because God is love. Neither can they outlaw your faith, because your faith is about becoming more like Christ, who is God’s love sent to the world. In fact, if they try, love shines brightest in valleys and shadows. Let’s start with what we have and do like Kathy and David. Why? Because God’s throwing a banquet and He asked us to go to the street corners inviting souls. Because love is the necessary force. Because if we’re all Under God, then nobody’s beneath us. Because love is not against the law.

Do: Start inviting people into your life who need Jesus. It doesn’t have to be dinner. Take some girls for a pedicure, go fishing, get coffee on Fridays, or open up your house to watch the game. Do something.