Ah yes, U2! That incredible band from my homeland of Ireland. Well, at least my ancestors were from Ireland. I guess that would make me Irish-American. I wonder if my daughter can get a scholarship for that? Anyway, I love the origins of U2 and how they expressed their honesty in their quest for knowing God and His loving grace, mercy and power. In fact, Bono and the Edge have called this song a gospel song. This song comes from the 1987 Album named the “Joshua Tree”.
Read these lyrics in the song and realize the search that is going on…
You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it
The chorus then follows with, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.” Its kind of a sad indictment of what goes on in Northern Ireland as the battle that rages between Protestant and Catholic. I know that I will never understand the tension there or the why’s and what for’s. But I do know this, there are plenty of people who are walking through life with this same sentiment that are living in our neighborhoods, in our classes at school, in our places of employment or even on our teams. Bono has stated numerous times, his frustration with the church and the inconsistencies that are lived out by the ones that are supposed to be leading the flock.
At times, it really reminds me of the Pharisees. They were the sticklers of the Law. They had been trained, taught and experienced in enforcing the letter of the Law. They were good at it. However, they missed the heart of the Law. Scripture says in Mark 8:11,
When the Pharisees heard that jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with Him. Testing Him, they demanded that He show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove His authority.
Being teachers and keeper of the Law, the Bible says, “the put heavy burdens on people concerning the Law but never lifted a finger to help them live the Law.” In the passage of Scripture, I find it interesting that the very people who should have embraced Jesus as Messiah began to argue with Him. They did not believe Him to be who He claimed to be. They tested God! They made demands from him. They were faithless people wanting physical proof of who Christ was.
Similarly we have that very thing happening today. Pastor’s, Evangelist, and teachers of Scripture putting demands upon people for personal reasons. If anything, these are the very people who should embrace the ways that Christ walked the earth…leading by example. When Jesus walked the earth, he flipped the pyramid of success. Instead of the Pharisee being at the top of the pyramid, Jesus said he came to “serve all”… He took the attitude of a servant becoming a human to seek and save the lost. He gave all…to all…for all…once and for all!
I don’t ever want to become a person who argues with God. In reality, who are we to ARGUE with GOD? He created the universe and we think it revolves around us. I never want to put those things that are holy (religious items, traditions, etc.) in front of my faith in God. Faith is a powerful thing that leads us to TRUST God and who He says He is, without any signs or wonders. The greatest sign we should ever need is summed up in a picture…
Embrace and welcome the Savior without demands of proof of identity and trust Him without reservation! This IS what Christ is looking for. He looks for those whose belief is pure of heart. God, increase our faith, help our unbelief! YOU are ALL we NEED to LOOK for!
Are you still looking for God?
Does your faith need to be increased?
What holy THINGS have you put in front of your FAITH?
oneguyseyes 