Turn Over the Tables
Posted on July 9, 2007
Filed Under Responsibility, Goals, Freedom, Courage |
Yesterday my husband and I had a dinner and movie date. Since the birth of our first son these are huge events that happen only occasionally. My husband insisted that we see Michael Moore’s Sicko. Some what curious, I agreed. I had no idea what I was in store for. Having seen Michael Moore doing the interview circuit, I thought it would be a little bit funny and informational also. No such thing! I don’t think I laughed once. If anything, I spent the entire film holding back sobs. Once we were at dinner, my husband insisted that I straighten my face up. It reminded me of being a child and my mother demanding that I stop crying before she’d give me something to cry about.
Within a few hours I was able to pull myself together. I realized Mr. Moore probably showed the worst case scenarios, and that most Americans will probably not ever need the type of health care coverage the people in the film required, probably – cross your fingers. But if we do, then what?
I am reminded of the Christ’s command that we take care of the poor, the disenfranchised and those who can’t care for themselves. And I can’t help but recall his statement advising that what we do for “the least of these” you do for Christ. If this is true, then how can I begin making a difference with my life? I’ve asked myself this question through sobs over dinner with my husband begging me to clean my face because people were watching. I’ve called many friends desperate to find someone as outraged and angered, but none have seen the film. After giving up on the phone, I realized I can change none but me. If I can allow God to change my heart and mind enough to do one thing differently, then that will have to be enough.
What am I willing to do? Am I courageous enough to stand for change like Christ stood for righteousness? When Jesus went to the temple pissed off, turning over the tables and calling out the Pharisees, he was standing for what is true and good. He wasn’t afraid to lose his life and his human comforts for what was just and righteous. Am I willing to give up being liked or looking good for what I believe in? There haven’t been many people as courageous as Christ since Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, and they gave their lives for their beliefs.
I don’t have the answers to any of these questions that plague my mind today. My only prayer is for God’s guidance and that I can do my best to give my best to God. Truly, I am here for God.
Ask yourself what can you do for God today? What do you stand for? If we accept that Christ lives in us, maybe its time to turn over the tables in the temple of your heart.
Peace and Blessings,
Monique Ruffin-James
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Good Morning, Monique
I saw “Sicko” on my birthday, July 6th. I cried through the second half of the movie. Tears kept coming even though the “rough” moments had somewhat passed. (”Bowling for Columbine” and “Farenheit 911″ were just as, emotionally, thought provoking.) Talk about having empathy!
On a smaller scale of an example, my mother and I are both widows. I’ve had 2 back surgeries and she has arthritis. You would think that we’d be able to find at least ONE church-going male to come and shovel our driveway after snowstorms, but no way, and no how… The Bible speaks of the church looking after widows and orphans but oh well…
Because of this, I try to make sure that everyone is taken care of and made to feel loved, wanted and included. When I gave a baby shower/luncheon for a classmate, 8 classmates attended. I secretly paid for the bill in advance. Afterward a couple of people said, “Annette, you shouldn’t have done that. They don’t speak to you in class.” I reminded them of all the celebrities, including popular ministers who get treated well all the time, then I told them the same thing, “Jesus told us to do this to the least of these. You all deserve to feel special!”