Prophetic Voice

this week Obama's pastor, Jeremiah Wright, has caused quite a stir in our culture. 

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF WRIGHT'S THOUGHTS OR OPINIONS!!!

i have listened and watched as the outrage overflowed as many find his words beyond comprehension. wrong! evil!

my fear is less about what he said. i don't agree with it. 

my fear is about how we as a culture look more and more like the nation of israel in the bible. the last half of the old testament reveals a list of prophets, people sent by God, to condemn the nation of israel. their reaction seems to be the same as our reaction today.

they were outraged, the prophets words were beyond comprehension. wrong! evil!

i personally don't agree with the reverend wright, but i do worry that we have to many christians who are not speaking about the failures and wrongs of our culture. christianity has lost its prophetic voice. 

a prophetic voice is not to be taken lightly. a great amount of wisdom and discernment is required to speak out on behalf of God. people are called to do it. not just pastors, God calls each of us to have a prophetic voice. 

i would worry less about a man like, Jeremiah Wright, speaking to a group of people who can truly understand his message. my worry is for the millions of us who never speak with a prophetic voice. who never try to discern God's voice and speak on its behalf. 

it takes courage to live this way. if the bible teaches us anything you'll often be called to speak out against the religious, social and cultural norms. people might not like you. however, we are called to speak with a prophetic voice.

side note: God understands this, He sent His own son to become a man and speak with a prophetic voice. Jesus was rejected and killed for His troubles. I believe God understands the fear we all feel.  a fear which often silences our prophetic voices.