A sizable segment of Guyana’s population identifies as Christian. Believers in and followers of the child born in a stable in Bethlehem. They have the Bible. The Old Testament and the Gospels that highlight the New Testament. Revolutionary teachings about love and mercy. Profound epiphanies about the power of God and his guiding hand. His Son said, “be a light to the world.” And ‘be not of this world, though in the world.’ It seems that a goodly number of those who call themselves Christians either skimmed over those passages; or are unconscious of their existence. Perhaps, they read, then moved on. What did they absorb?
From the teacher himself, after whom believers take their name: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (MT 7:15). From the Old Testament, there is a long and wearying list of those described as: ‘ungodly priests’ and ‘bad judges’ and ‘wicked kings.’ The flock is warned repeatedly to be on the alert. Kings who come with enticements. Prophets who have their rich stories to sell. In today’s Guyana, there are those who give themselves fanciful titles to pull the wool over the faithful eyes and mislead them. Not just Christians, but other faiths.
Christians have been fortified by continual teaching about right and wrong, about values and virtues. And about humble servants of God to cling to and selfish masters to shun. And, still they fall. And still, they crave the company of those who taint the air. Those who smear every place that they enter. It may be for the love of a dollar, considering those who hold the keys to the kingdom of oil. It may be to earn a friendly nod of recognition, even when that means separating from the grace of God himself. Men who have made themselves into gods are honored in a manner that should be the special preserve of God Almighty himself. In the Guyana of today, there is the oil god and there is its offspring the money god. There are too many Christians who think nothing of bowing in homage to those two gods. It is a different kind of idolatry. One where the graven images are inscribed on the heart, while directing the mind. Christians stumble. Others do, too.
Oil money is being used to host huge events. Events complete with free transportation and free food. The free drinks (the hard kind) are for other occasions. For the free transportation from different parts of Guyana and the free food, Christians shout themselves hoarse. Cheer their hands sore. Stomp their feet numb. It is the Guyana equivalent of a revival, rally, and a Great Reawakening campaign. Though done under the flag of Christianity, it is a mockery of things Christian. But, who cares, when the music is going at fever pitch, and some cheap pitchman is going full blast.
I am thinking of the prophet who was despised in his own hometown. Be a light to the world. But keep distance from the world. An intricate balancing act, if ever there was one. Guyanese Christians from different denominations have convinced themselves that they can serve two masters simultaneously. The scriptures don’t agree, and the laws of physics differ. Pulled in two opposing directions at the same time, but many deceive themselves into thinking that they are pulling that trick off. A little extract from the New Testament should assist. Did Peter, Paul, and the others sit at table, and break bread, with Caiaphas, Herod, Pilate, and others. They didn’t. Not because of any smug superiority complex. But because they didn’t want the blasphemers and wrongdoers to maneuver them and use them as a platform for their narrow purposes. All are consumed. All are used.
Regardless of their own needs and their creeping fears, the genuine follower of Jesus should recognize when he is being used. Powerbrokers and power players are gifted at dividing the flock. And pushing the buttons that get some Christians to parade themselves. Believers have a choice: walk with God. Or dance to the music and attractions that men dangle. Refuse to be used. Stop being part of pictures painted by the cold-hearted and calculating in the midst.
