This will be the pastor's article for the February newsletter for the churches I am appointed.
A few months ago one of the co-founders of Apple, Steve Jobs, passed away. In the days that followed the outpouring of grief and accolades was tremendous. A changer of culture, an innovator, a visionary, and prophet are all some of the names or descriptions that have been used to describe him. Some of the responses in different comment boxes and letters to the editor in newspapers made it seem as if Steve Jobs could walk on water.
On the same day Steve Jobs died (October 5, 2011) a man named Fred Shuttlesworth passed away in Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 89. His death was noted by many of the same newspapers as Steve Jobs’ death, but not in the same manner. From what I have gathered Jobs’ death made the front page of many, if not most, of the major newspapers across the land, Shuttlesworth’s made it somewhere in the national section or on the obituary page’s Notable Death’s or similar title. I found this disheartening. Some may ask the question, why was it disheartening or why I get worked up over something like obituaries? Others may ask, who is Fred Shuttlesworth?
The answer to the latter question is easier to answer and that Fred Shuttlesworth was a Baptist minister and one of the three people who founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The other two were Ralph D Abernathy and Martin Luther King, Jr. Rev Shuttlesworth was one of the primary movers and shakers in the Civil Rights moverment, but never received the attention the other two did as they moved into the national spotlight. However, he was just as important and in some ways more important, than Martin Luther King or Ralph Abernathy. USA Today mentioned how historians believe the Civil Rights movement would have looked very different if he had not been involved. He was the one who invited King to Birmingham. He also refused to knuckle under even after two bombings, over a dozen arrests, and numerous beatings with at least one involving bats and bicycle chains and his wife was stabbed. He was trying to help people of color who were being mistreated by the system and to preach and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The answer to the former question is a bit more introspective and theological. There is no doubt Steve Jobs impacted society. His marketing savvy and passion for his products helped change the way people in America, and to a degree the world, listen to music, communicate with each other, making work more portable with i-pads, and other products. He changed the way people see animation by being the CEO of Pixar Animation. At the same time I have to ask myself, did he change people’s hearts? Did he impact society’s beliefs about people? Personally I do not think so.
Fred Shuttlesworth on the other hand was instrumental in changing society and culture not just physically, but in the hearts and souls of people. He listened to the Holy Spirit’s urging to put the Gospel into active living even if it meant putting himself in harm’s way. Because he was willing to pay the cost of discipleship the way people of color are treated and thought of is completely different than it was 60 years ago. In my mind Rev Fred Shuttlesworth should have been on the front page and Steve Jobs should have been further back in the papers as what the good reverend did was more profound, longer lasting, and harder than what Steve Jobs did.
I bring the lives of these two men forward to ask you an Ash Wednesday and Lenten question or two. The first is, what type of impact are you making on the people around you, your family, friends, co-workers? As we examine our mortality and think about our deaths on this world, how do you think people are going to remember you? Will it be for the things you provided them to make life easier or glitzier, etc, or will it be for how your living helped shaped them as a person?
The second question, and some follow-up ones to it, is how and why do you impact people’s lives? Is it for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Do you ever think about how what you do impacts other people’s thoughts and helps shape them? Have you ever thought you may not know the impact you have, either good or bad, until years later?
Ash Wednesday is a day we traditionally examine our mortality and our lives with God. Lent is a season of preparation as we prepare for both Good Friday and Easter. Lent is a season of penance and examination, as well as a time to lay our burdens down at the cross. I am going to encourage you this Lenten season to examine how your life is impacting others, and then offer them to the Lord through Jesus and the cross. There will be some things that are good, an encouraging spirit; reaching out to people who are hurt; sharing how God is working in your life are some examples of the good that we do and can offer to Jesus. At the same time there are those things that harm others and ourselves such as a critical spirit; insults; grudges, constant use of foul language; emotional, physical, mental abuse; and others that hurt others, society, and the Gospel. Offer those to Jesus and ask for what he wants to give to you.
Blessings,
Pastor Dave
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