We're against ... but what are we FOR?

Today I was driving along and saw a license plate that I found ridiculous. Immediately I thought, "this would be a great blog post, commenting on the ridiculousness of the statement this person is making."


However, soon after seeing the plate, I was convicted of the fact that far too often Christians are known for what they are against, for their criticism and desire to distance themselves from "certain messages," rather than what they are FOR. Today, I attended a luncheon that Jim Wallis keynoted. He was talking about the role of Christian non-profits in the new administration, and his point was essentially the same as mine: too often Christians are the ones not willing to work with others to promote change for fear that they're promoting others' bad messages. And so, the usual response becomes the creation of a Christian sub-culture, which is then hampered by its limited focus. While I certainly agree that Christians should hold firm to what they believe, Christians should also more readily engage the mainstream. Instead of highlighting the glaring flaws and weaknesses of the world around them, or simply conforming to mainstream norms, such people can act as beacons of light and hope, while lifting up the broken places and reminding people not to despair. I for one want to stand up, not so much for what i'm against, but what i'm for. Instead of being simply a protestor I want to be an activist, someone who lives the change they want to see in the world-knowing that the change this world needs is something beyond herself.

I could write about stupid license plates all day long-and maybe some people are called to that- but sometimes casting light on the darkness is a lot harder than simply highlighting all the evil and ugliness in the world. I'd like to make this blog more of a lightcaster than a bearer of the bad news.