"Imagine swirled peas"

     That's an old bumper sticker that I recently saw on the back of a beat up old car.  If you aren't aware, it's a play on the phrase "Imagine world peace."  There isn't much of that today and you would need to use your imagination to find the little that exists.  Swirled peas is a totally different story.  It reminds me of something served in a hospital or nursing home.  Not much to chew on and very bland in taste.  I've never known, and neither have you, world peace.  Perhaps you haven't known whirled peas either.  What we do know is that small slice of the world that we can all call our space. I remember reading a story told by a now adult refugee about his childhood.  He related how his village had been invaded and his parents told him to run.  Run he did.  He was running beside the river when he saw the bodies of his parents floating by.  He hasn't had or seen peace since then.  We know the stories of the horrible concentration camp atrocities and those who had to witness their loved ones going to the gas chamber or feeding their loved ones bodies to the furnaces.  The history of every nation and every people are somehow formed and remain scarred by the lack of anyone seeing peace as an alternative.  Whirled peas indeed.  How many would love to have a meal of whirled peas as they trek or wander the earth seeking a new home?
     Christians lives are marked by these two groups.  There are those who imagine world peace and there are those who imagine whirled peas.  The former see beyond themselves and work for a better world as Jesus wants it.  The later focus on getting their daily bread as they can't imagine the next meal much less the next day.  Why the big difference?  I'd like to say it's solely about our personal choices.  Many would agree and many would disagree again because of their choices.  The former group of people choose to see outside of themselves and see the needs of others while the latter choose to see their wants and needs above everyone else's.  History shows that those who have the imagination to see outside of themselves and their constraints are the ones who change their world and the world of others.  Whether it's bringing a meal next door or sending a meal around the world they make a difference.  But, you say, I don't have anything to give.  Can you listen?  Can you wash windows or dishes?  Can you step outside of what you want to give what someone else needs?  Keep in mind that there are also those who are "so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good." 
     Christians have fallen into the category of "learned helplessness" even as the world does.  Should we consider the first century church and their form and function; we find that we do not resemble the church at all.  We have our million dollar sanctuaries with parking attendants and security.  We have our fabulous comfortable seating and entertainment of orchestras and choirs.  We have a message that helps us feel good and finally we have the basket passed that we can drop a dollar into.  Whirled peas.  THAT world is busy caring for itself and basking in their accomplishments.  THAT world is nothing like what we see in the first century church.  THAT world is not what Jesus had in mind when he said to feed his sheep.  He didn't mean whirled peas as a continual diet causing dependence instead of independence.  Jesus called us to be a church that saw His vision of world peace.  That meant putting our lives (all of our lives) on the line for His will and not my will.  Again, we make choices day in and day out that either reflect advancing the kingdom of God or a selfish self contained world marked by self focus.  It's a choice.  It's your choice and it's my choice.  It's the choice of our leaders, followers and the innocent.  I'll imagine world peace.  Thank you!