I remember the Lord asking me once if I was willing to look foolish for Him. I hesitantly said “yes.” Here’s a piece of advice for you. Never hesitantly say “yes” to God and not expect Him to test you on it. Rookie move.
One day several months ago I saw something on Facebook about a statue being removed from the Missouri State Capitol building for updates. Ceres – that’s the name. Since I was a little girl I’ve always assumed that statue was Thomas Jefferson. Boy, was I surprised. My lack of knowledge in my state’s history was a little disappointing to me, so I wanted to do better.
I looked up the name and immediately learned what she stood for. Ceres is the goddess of of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships. My heart was deeply saddened for many reasons.
First of all, that I was 35 years old when I learned this. Secondly, that a false god was representing our state – a goddess designed for one purpose only – to worship. Turns out I wasn’t the only one bothered by it. Several of my praying friends were joining me as we prayed together for it not to return to the Capitol.
Last week I learned all the renovations were done and it would be returned to the Capitol, scheduled for Monday, December 16th. Something was stirring in my heart that I had to do/say something. Rewind back to that time that God asked me if I’d be willing to look foolish. Well.. the test was/is here.
So Monday night I started an online petition to bring awareness that perhaps I’m not the only one who doesn’t want a false god hanging out on top of our Capitol building. I was unbelievably surprised to wake up Tuesday morning to over 200 signatures, followed by a phone call from a news station.
Now the petition is at over 470 and another news station interviewed me today. But with that awareness comes extreme ridicule. Enter the willingness to look foolish part.
You see… Facebook has blown up with slams against me. “I’m making a big deal over a statue. I need to focus on poverty. I’m an idiot. I’m stupid.” I could keep going.
To the world I look completely foolish. And when I stand in front of a news camera and say, “This statue doesn’t represent light, it represents darkness,” I look like a fool.
And when the reporter asks me why I’m so passionate about the removal of a statue and I explain that it goes against the very nature of God, I look like a fool.
And when I explain to that reporter that it’s my obligation as a Christian to stand for what is right, I look like a fool.
And it feels lonely. And it’s made me so tired. And I ask God, “Why am I the only one starting a petition against this when there are 6 million people in this state?” And He says to me, “Because you said you would be willing to look foolish for me.” And so I cry in the midst of the obedience, saying, “Dang it God. Standing up for you is really hard sometimes!”
But you know what? God doesn’t need me to defend Him. He’s God for the love of Pete. He’s plenty capable of defending Himself. But He asked me to. So I will, despite the laughs. Despite what people say about me behind my back. Despite the names complete strangers call me.
At the end of the day, I can go to sleep knowing I educated people. What they do with it not up to me.
I can’t make people choose Jesus.
I can’t make people stop messing with the Oreos. But for the love of all things Dolly Parton, leave the Oreo alone. We do NOT need a Fruit Punch Oreo.
And I certainly can’t make people see the seriousness of putting a false god up on top of the building that represents our great state of Missouri.
But I can inform. And I did.
If you’d like to sign the petition, you can do so here: http://chng.it/sRJLntqG