The setting was an ordinary political forum. What set it apart from most was that parties with differing view points were permitted to debate the issues. This resulted in some keen intellects using the forum to sharpen their wits.
One man stood out in particular. Bright, biblically educated, well spoken, quick with a humorous come-back, he stood a little taller than most. It took me less than a day to recognize him as a leader and instigator. In time I came to share the opinion of the more astute who called him a “natural born world shaker.” For three months I enjoyed his banter along with the rest of the forum. When he was in a particular thread, people would click on it just to see what he was up to and to pat him on the back for another well-placed remark.
The time came when he had to make a point and he pushed certain buttons to stand up for something he believed in. There was some interference, something went amiss, and for a few brief seconds, he appeared to falter. The carnage that resulted was shocking. People that had claimed to be friends and supporters suddenly turned into something else altogether. Others climbed out of the woodwork to knife him in the back while he was recovering his balance. With eerily familiar biblical implications, the moniker others had given him was thrust in his face as some people mocked him calling him “world shaker.” I think the worst betrayals were from friends who meant well but who didn’t understand what was happening and ended up just getting in the way and impeding his recovery.
A prophet is not without honor save in his own country. Why is it we are so glad to see the brightest and best among us torn down?
Last I saw he was posting again and had picked up the mantle pretty much where he dropped it. It is hard to keep a good prophet down. What is harder is to get a prophet to forgive you once you have sinned against him.
Lord have mercy on us all.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. Psalm 119: 99-100.
From our archives 7/27/04.
Kathryn Darden is editor and publisher of ChristianActivities.com and a political forum junkie.
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