Whose time is it?

In Sunday night bible study, we have been progressing ever so slowly through Genesis. We discuss a lot the prevailing theme of people doing God’s will in their time. I thought of that when I read “Christianist” by Terry. Maybe there was something terribly wrong with those burned churches. Maybe it did outrage God. But He (God) has the cards, He knows when it’s the time for action. Waiting for God’s time is not any easier for us than it was for Sarai and Abram but with so many examples clearly spelled out, I am certain that His timing is the best time.

Recently a Chapel was dedicated on the camp. Lindsey Chapel, named in honor of soldier killed in action soon after the 41st took over operations in Afghanistan. (Note to self: having a chapel named in you honor is bad ju-ju.) Anyway, the building was just a B-hut. Like the one I live in but they built a steeple and a cross on the top. The inside was lined with wall covering instead of just painted wood and the floor was covered with wood looking linoleum. Couches, a podium, treated wood trim, pictures of the soldier who sacrificed his life, and a large cross hung at the front of the room. As you can imagine it quickly became the center of debate. Apparently Army regulation states that a building called a chapel has to be open/available to people of all faith’s. So the crosses had to come down. (The crosses can only go back up if they are “removable” so that if a non-Christian comes to worship the building can be set up for their faith.)

At the end of Bible study Sunday night this fella WENT OFF. He was irate. Several people acknowledged his anger and tried to talk re-explain the policy. The Chaplains Aid was there he tried, to no avail, also. The leader of the study explained the process that he went through and how he had prayed about it. The sweet southern words of Mrs. Wallace echoed inside my head until I couldn’t take it anymore and I just had to say “Jesus isn’t on the cross anymore.” They all looked at me with the same “what did the weird-o say” look on their faces that they usually do when I weigh in. So I went further to say that we don’t worship the cross. Finally everyone settled down. A church is just a building 5 or 6 days a week, up until a month ago that building was just unused barracks. It neatly replaces the conference room that we used prior to its construction, but it is still just a building. (Someone pointed out that the conference room didn’t have a cross either.) I don’t know why I keep babbling on, I guess that it just feels good to get some things off you chest.