I would rather...

I will never forget walking into the student lounge at Reformed Bible College nine years ago and seeing the World Trade Centers on fire and then burning to the ground.  I watched for fifteen minutes and then had to go to Christian Doctrine class with Professor Felch.  Class was let out early, and I drove home and spent most of the rest of the day watching the events on TV. 

For most people, September 11, 2001 represents emotions like fear, despair and hate.  To this day, these emotions are very real in the hearts and minds of the people of the United States of America.  They even dictate how we act, how we legislate, how we vote and how we feel about certain groups of people.  I can't help but see how fear, despair and hate are in direct conflict with the Kingdom values of faith, hope and love.  (1 Corinthians 13)


I would rather be known as a person driven by faith, hope and love, than a person motivated by fear, despair and hate.

I would rather burn with desire for the presence of God, than burn the Koran in protest against Islam.

I would rather fight to build more churches in the darkest corners of the world, than fight with other religions about where they can build theirs.

I would rather support causes that reach out to illegal aliens in the name of Christ, than support legislation that shows them no mercy in order to protect the rights of the "hardworking taxpayers"

I would rather be a voice for the poor, the marginalized, and the mistreated, than join the many voices that speak up only when their own rights, and their own bank accounts are being threatened.

I would rather do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God, than do work, love money, and walk proudly because of my accomplishments.