When Roosters Attack

Last week, I was taking care of my neighbor's pets while they were away for the Easter holiday. One of my tasks is to feed/take care of their chickens. This requires going into the coop with the chickens. No problem, right? So it would seem, but let me tell you, it gets a whole lot more complicated when there is a rooster in their midst. When I went into the coop to put food out for them and the rooster charged to peck at my legs, I was personally offended. I mean, come on! I just want to feed them and give them water and this guy has the nerve to attack me! Needless to say, I finished my chore as quickly as possible to avoid being further assaulted. Even while I walked around the outside of the coop the rooster would follow me and peck at the wire nearest to me. In frustration I was thinking "Man...chill out!" Though the rooster's actions probably stem from a protective instinct, I was still hurt because I knew I had no intention of hurting the chickens. Though a relatively minor offense in my case, I couldn't help think about similiar injustices on a larger scale... situations where people are attacked for no good reason.

Interestingly, later that same morning of "the attack" ;-), I had some extra time before class and so read a little from Psalsms which allowed me to come across this scripture:

"See how they lie in wait for me!

Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O Lord.

I have done no wrong yet they are ready to attack me

Arise to help me; look on my plight!"

-Psalm 59:3-4

I couldn't help but go "huh." and relate this Psalm to my experience just hours before. Basically I related with the reaction of the attackee in such a situation, with sentiments such as" "that's no fair" or "I did nothing to deserve this" or "why would they do that?" The psalmist responds to his plight by depending on the fact that God is his strength in these situations of unfairness. For God sees such acts of wicked men that while not go unpunished. But as for us, as we face evil men (or roosters) we must say:
"But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love: you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God."

Okay, I admit it's a bit silly of me to apply the need to depend on God as my strength to my run-in with the rooster, but nevertheless, it still prompted a more significant train of thought. As hurt as a felt in this silly situation, I can't imagine what it is like for people who live in circumstances when they become victims of unfairness so often. But I do know that they need God in those situatons.

Plus, I also learned from my experience. The next time I went into the chicken coop, I came prepared wearing close toed shoes for one thing. In additon I found a small rake which I held in one hand as I went into the coop to refill the food and water. The rooster looked warily at me and the rake, but I managed to get in and out quicky without any problems.

You never know what God will use in you daily life to make you think and to apply His Word. When roosters attack, God made stop and think.

God's Extravagent Welcome

I heard a similar version of this NPR story aired on the radio Friday morning:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9213698

As I listened I couldn't help myself from responding outloud in frustration to some of the comments being made about this. The fact that this church had to have a committee to decide what to do in this situation, whether or not to allow someone into their congregation, felt terribly wrong.

The general issue was "should a church welcome sex offenders?" My thoughts are, yeah, they probably should. However, whether people are willing and able to do that is not that easy. So many people have been been hurt by sex offenders and continually struggle with that pain. One of the women interviewed for the story did have a history of being sexually abused as a child, but based on her faith she felt she had to accept this man, who was a convicted sex offender, into the church community. Others, especially parents, were (to put it lamely) not so thrilled about the idea. One of the parents who spoke claimed to believe in "radical inclusion," but... and then gave her excuse; perhaps a legimate excuse out of concern for protecting her children, but an excuse nonetheless. Perhaps this seems insensitive and perhaps I would feel differently if I was a member of this church with children of my own... but still...

As hard as it may be to accept, I do believe God asks us to welcome all people into his family no matter what their past grievances and no matter how uncomfortable that is for us. Yes, certainly easier said than done, especially for people with certain connections to the issue. But the willingness of people of God to offer grace and forgiveness is what aught to set us apart as His people. Ultimately, God will not turn people away from heaven who honestly seek salvation no matter what they have done; sex offenders, murderers, liars are all welcome. What right does the church have to turn someone away who is seeking to be a part of the family of God? The women in the story (who was sexually abused) describes that allowing this man, who is a convicted sex offender, into the church as an opportunity to live out her faith. I love how she describes what she believes in as "God's Extravagent Welcome."