November 1998
Just because
Remember back you were a kid, and you asked one of those unanswerable
questions, and one of your exasperated parents said, “Just
because?” Well, I find myself giving that same answer to
the question, “Why are you there?” Believe me, when
I’m hot and tired, or when the kids can’t seem to
understand me or their lessons, or when I get frustrated by simple
problems that have become unsolvable in Vanuatu, I ask myself
the same question.
My sense is that the expected answer would be more along the
lines of: clothing the heathens, bringing God to the unknowing,
or giving to the have-nots. None of those answers would be correct,
however. In this case, the best answer is, “Just because.”
- Just because the great commandment says to love your neighbor
as yourself.
- Just because there are economically needy people and we can
provide some small sustenance.
- Just because there is so much to learn from other churches
and cultures. Our culture and denomination do not have all the
answers.
- Just because the sharing of the love of Christ is such a spine-tingling
event that there is little choice but to answer that call.
So, my friends, I am not here to uproot or destroy local customs,
nor bring God here, nor try to bring local church doctrine closer
to ours. I am here to try to experience the undeniable fact that
the love of God extends to all people, black or white, Christian,
Jew or spirit-worshiper, male or female, have or have-not, good
or bad. While I often fail to love all equally, I am trying. I
invite you to try as well—just because.
To all of you who daily share God’s love for all people,
when someone asks you why you are doing this or that for the church
or community, maybe you should answer, “Just because.”
May the love of God and the peace of Jesus Christ, our Lord,
be with each of you every moment of every day.
David Walter |
