Just this night, around 5,000 people gathered at Occupy Cal on Sproul. Some were there to show solidarity with occupy movement and some where just there to hear Robert Reich speak. Despite their reasoning, I believe all the people there were open to learn and discuss the change they would like to see. Meanwhile, Interpraise was occurring only 2 blocks away. This was a cross-fellowship gathering to worship God in Christian unity.
There is some profound disconnect with this. Sproul was full of thousands of people fighting for economic and social justice in our country and looking for hope. They have grown tired with the realities of this life. They know that we as humanity are meant for so much more than the current state of society provides. Deep down, there is a need for change to fix the brokenness they feel. They are sacrificing their time, efforts, and even physical health towards the pursuit of change. I know these efforts will be in vain. Don't get me wrong, I believe in the power of this movement and that it has the ability to stop tuition increases, make public education more affordable, and fight the wealth imbalance in this country. I believe that this occupy movement has the potential to achieve much of what they seek. But these things are not their true desire.
Let's say they "fix the system." Let's say the protesters manage to make public education affordable to all and dramatically cut the wealth imbalance between the rich and poor in America. Let's say the banks and corporations truly become accountable and stop"controlling" the political process with their money. Then what? Sure it may satisfy the immediate need for change, but they are all external things. This sense, deep down, that change is needed will not leave. I think many of these protesters will eventually become disenchanted and begin to fight for change in other aspects of society.
This movement is driven by deep-rooted desire for change. People are externalizing it to bigger societal issues. These can be very important and worthwhile causes, but once they are achieved there will still be dissatisfaction. I believe that what they are really seeking is the hope that only God can provide. They sense the brokenness of this world, and strive for redemption from it. If only Christians could step into that void with the Good News of Jesus' death and resurrection and His ability to save us from our brokenness. If only there was someone there to tell them of the hope Jesus offers that there is so much more than the world has to offer. This campus is ready to hear the truth that "will set them free." They are right there on Sproul, right now, seeking out change and open to ideas for how to get there. Why can't we Christians go and meet them where they are, and share our God with them in the context of where they are and what they understand?
Then I remembered all the Christians at Interpraise... 2 blocks away. Sure, it was planned way beforehand, but the symbolism struck home. As Christians, we often choose not to engage society. Society is dirty, and we like our clean worship songs and prayer. Worship and prayer are good things, but the Jesus of the Bible went out to the dirty places. He met with the unclean, on their own ground, and related to them in ways they could understand.
I think this protest necessitates that Christians take risks. We can no longer afford to sit and watch as events unfold. This is our campus, this is our society, and we are just as responsible as anyone else to bring restoration and peace. We need to put ourselves out there on the front lines of these discussions, bringing with us hope Jesus offers. It is not the healthy that need doctors, but the sick. We've been spending a lot of time with the healthy. I can't help but feel that this protest is going to be a challenge for the Christian community on campus. It is my prayer that we rise up to meet the challenge and that we engage the campus with love and humility. Most importantly, we must bring the hope and restoration that can only be found in God.
This can not be forceful evangelism. As we start conversations and discussions about the topics of the occupy movement, I believe themes of worldly dissatisfaction and hope for a better future will inevitably arise. It is there, when we meet them where they are, that I believe we can convey the gospel in it's most raw form. This protest is reaching the most raw aspects of our humanity, and our most deeply held moral convictions that there is something "better" out there. Let's show them that the "better" is found in Jesus, and He will bring the internal transformation they mistakenly seek externally.
