Voices

We possess a connection to the God of the Universe, who has given us His Word and communicated His heart to us.  We represent Him, and He will use us to be a voice consistent with His truth.
Proverbs 3 states:
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

When we face challenges, we can search the Scriptures.  The Bible tells us in James chapter 1 that when we lack wisdom, we can ask God to give us wisdom; for He is the source.  In a culture that is struggling to find solutions to monumental dilemmas, Christians have an opportunity to bring effective insight that is consistent with a Biblical perspective.  When we encounter people looking for answers, we can seek His face and relate what His Spirit will show us.

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We are called and, I believe, positioned in a way that we can speak and display Godly wisdom - what does that look like? Well, James 3 has some insight:
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

This Sunday night, the Primetime Emmy Awards will be presented - honoring achievement, in the eyes of those who vote, in the areas of television.

It's interesting how the lines have become blurred with respect to what really qualifies as "television." Of course, broadcast TV is a key area, and cable is also a player, but now, you have content that you can watch on your TV, or computer, or smartphone, that is not conventional, but I guess you could still consider it television.

One product that has certainly blurred the lines is a documentary film directed by Ava DuVernay, who was responsible for the film, Selma, and is working on the forthcoming movie, A Wrinkle in Time.  She produced a documentary called, 13th, which was nominated for an Oscar for feature documentary, according to a story on the Hollywood Reporter website. It also won four Creative Arts Emmy awards - it qualifies because of its distribution via Netflix.  The article says:

Ava DuVernay on Saturday asserted that there are different ways to address the criminal justice system and urged those with such views to "stand up and be heard." She made the remarks at the Creative Arts Emmys, where her Netflix documentary 13th won four awards, including for outstanding documentary or nonfiction special as well as for original music and lyrics, motion design and writing.

"It was incredibly important to tell the story, but nights like this, when you can amplify the story, mean the most to me," DuVernay said. "There are 2.3 million behind bars. We are the most encarcerated nation in the world. ... Those who believe there are different ways to address criminality and justice need to stand up and be heard. [We should strive for a system] that doesn't discriminate in a marginalized community. It's not as aggressive on white-collar crimes. There's a way to do it so it's more balanced and fair."

WORLD magazine's website featured a review of the film when it was first released.  It describes it as "breathtakingly biased."  The summary: "Filmmaker Ava DuVernay traces a large story arc: the overcriminalization of black men in media and politics, and therefore, in American life, since Reconstruction."

The film takes its name from the 13th Amendment, which abolishes slavery, but contains a clause that allows it essentially in one key place - the U.S. prison system.  The Prison Fellowship website relates:

"13th" is an in-depth look at how a loophole in the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution has led to a booming prison industry that profits off the over-incarceration of black people in America. The film opened for the 2016 New York Film Festival. It was released in October 2016 by Netflix.

Included in the documentary is Craig DeRoche, who is senior vice-president for public policy and advocacy for Prison Fellowship and former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. WORLD says about his appearance:

DeRoche says the film portrayed his contribution accurately but that there are a number of structural and socio-economic barriers to healing America’s damaged criminal justice system.

“This movie does shine a light on the debate,” said DeRoche. “To the extent that it does that, it’s important that America says let’s go ahead and talk about this, and not sweep it under the rug.”

In 2014, John Stonestreet commented on the 13th Amendment.  In a piece adapted from a Breakpoint commentary on the PF website, he quoted from a USA Today op-ed by former Prison Fellowship President and CEO Jim Liske:

“Ratified at the end of the Civil War,” he wrote, “the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, with one critical exception.”

Here’s the text of section 1 of the amendment: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

John commented:

Slavery is evil not just because it compels someone to work against their will, but because, as Liske wrote, it “denies the full dignity and value of the enslaved person.”
Which is why I agree with Jim Liske that the mere existence of a “punishment clause” in the 13th Amendment is an affront to human dignity, and beneath the dignity of the United States.

Thankfully, DuVernay, who was certainly sensitive to faith matters in the film, Selma, included a faith-based perspective in her documentary, 13th, and that's important.  It's also encouraging that a television series that is devoted to exploring the errant and dangerous teachings of the Church of Scientology was recognized as Outstanding Inspirational Series, according to a story on AOL.com.

I'm not sure how much faith you will see on parade this Sunday night if you watch the Emmys.  If previous awards shows are any indication, you'll probably see some politics.  After all, it seems that celebrities seem to be rather intent to politicize live shows - the telethon for hurricane relief that aired across the broadcast networks was taken to task by some for political statements about climate change that were pronounced by a few of the stars.  I did catch the wonderful performance from the Grand Ole Opry House with CeCe Winans, along with Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, and Demi Lovato.  That was sweet!  And, I didn't see it, but there was a prayer by newly minted spiritual leader Justin Bieber, surrounded by a rabbi, an imam, and a staff member from Lakewood Church in Houston.

All right, some considerations for us today:

In the past from time to time, I have used the phrase or analogy, "place at the table."  There are many ideas and worldviews that are out there and are influencing our culture.  I believe in the sufficiency of Christ and the superiority of Scripture to give us insight into solving problems that are facing us.  But, we can't just think that we have the answers, we have to act - and to be people who share inspired ideas.

That may be on a grand scale, in the realm of policy; or it may just be in the workplace, or perhaps a group of volunteers, a committee on which you serve, or other settings.  We can be known as the people of inspired and inspiring ideas.  And, the Bible is full of them, and it is God's Word can provide a basis for the development of effective solutions.

For instance, in the workplace, we can be challenged to develop a reputation as a person who can be counted on; not someone who complains or displays a negative attitude toward his or her work, but seeing our position as a divine placement, in which we are sent by God to make an impact.

And, the way that we share is important - we should display a humble spirit, not someone who is overbearing or arrogant, but confident in our approach.

We can look for opportunities to speak truth and rejoice and reinforce when a Christian worldview perspective makes its way into the cultural conversation.