Lent: Stumble

I'm stumbling over stones on this dusty Lenten road to Golgotha. Jesus is trudging slowly up the road, dragging his cross, which leaves a deep groove in the dirt behind him, and I am stumbling awkwardly beside him, tripping every third step. It would have been easier to give up sweets for 40 days.

The stone in my path last night was the documentary Dropbox, which I saw with friends and my daughter in a local theater.  Pastor Lee of Seoul, South Korea, shared his heart and ministry for orphans, abandoned babies, and children with severe and profound disabilities.   Most of his 15 children are all three, and many times a week, the little bell on his baby dropbox rings, revealing an unwanted bundled newborn.  He loves the least of the least of the least.  

It's an inspiring movie, beautifully filmed with sweet moments of levity, tragedy, hope.   The young American director who set out to find a cool story and win a Sundance prize was so moved by his six months in the orphanage, sleeping on the floor with the children, that he surrendered his life to Christ.  

It's a stumbling stone because it is asking me what I am doing for the least of them.  I am possibly more informed than the average person on global orphan needs and child trafficking, I help out my adoptive family friends when I can, and I give to causes that serve these groups.  So why do I stumble?  

I think Christ does not want us to shrug helplessly ever.  He would rather have us faceplant.  He appoints each of us times, kairos times, to step/stumble into a space where our ability meets someone's need.  We can spin on our heal and walk the other way, of course, or we can crack open and spill out.  

I close with these difficult verses on confession of my/our rebellion, which drives back justice and incites oppression.  I'm sorry, Jesus.  Show me a better way.

For our offenses are many in your sight,

    and our sins testify against us.

Our offenses are ever with us,

    and we acknowledge our iniquities:

13 

rebellion and treachery against the Lord,

    turning our backs on our God,

inciting revolt and oppression,

    uttering lies our hearts have conceived.

14 

So justice is driven back,

    and righteousness stands at a distance;

truth has stumbled in the streets,

    honesty cannot enter.

15 

Truth is nowhere to be found,

    and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.

Isaiah 59;12-15