Consider It All Joy

           Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)

Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

          Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:15-17)

 

          I am not a prophet. This is not (to my knowledge) a prophecy. I’m not saying that we will face great trials for at least the next four years. But I strongly suspect that we will. A long time ago, I heard that the Nazis first told the Jews “ You cannot live among us as Jews.” A short time later, the Nazis said, “You cannot live among us.” And finally, the Nazis said, “You cannot live.”

          Proclamations are being made. The nation must be cleansed of anyone or anything that even reminds the Democrats of Mr. Trump. He must be destroyed, erased from history like Egyptian pharaohs who were overthrown. If you are now or have ever been a Trump supporter or a Christian (or both) you are guilty of crimes against the state. Expect something Kafkaesque:

          “With what are you charging me?”

          “Crimes against the State. Hate crimes. Confess!” (Return to the beginning of the previous paragraph.)

          I hope I’m wrong. I pray I’m wrong.

          But suppose that the worst doesn’t happen. Suppose that you aren’t given the choice of worshipping the statue or die. Suppose that it’s only worship the statue or lose your promotion, your raise, or your job? Or worship the statue or someone won’t be your friend anymore – if for no other reason than for fear that they’ll be punished, too. Or worship the statue or lose your children? Or, what if it’s only worship the statue or have your home vandalized? Or worship the statue or be called names?

          Consider it all joy.