After the Good Friday witness I met people who spoke of a man, mentally ill, needing to be 'managed' or acted against 'properly' or as one put it, "Just locked up!" Another has spoken of acting 'decisively', but what do these words mean?
As they uttered those words I had the feeling that a man, somewhere in time was holding a scroll of the prophet Isaiah, and reading thus:
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn; giving them beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified."
If we cannot stand with those who know the Lord and have broken minds;
If we cannot stand with those who know the Lord and have broken lives;
If we cannot weep with those who weep, grieve with those who grieve, love those who are unloveable and yet know the Lord, what hope is there for the lost?
What hope is there for the Church?
Who can be saved?
What reason is there for His rising up today?
Pax
6 comments:
A thousand Amens.
Totally agree.
Well said, "I have a mental illness and find many Christians would rather I was somewhere else other than in their church."
Thank you for standing with me and for me - as Christ does.
For those (Christian or otherwise) who suffer from mental health issues, there is obviously great stigma and unease existent.
Where we are, mental health units and support centres are closing and so we are taking the step of offering any 'slack' space for our building to house services on a 'no cost' basis. Hopefully this will enable support groups to continue and maintain a safe place for those with mental health issues.
For those who find Church unaccepting or uncaring, I can but apologise and reiterate the truth:
God loves you
(and I'm ashamed)
Pax
Amen!
I think the problem is peole don't understand and don't want too. I feel like Christians just think saying "pray and rely on God and you will be fine" I'm not saying that those things are important, but people with mental health problems need the support to do that.
I'm rambling! So will end there!
God bless x
Not rambling - you are so very right and have highlighted an area where we Christians fall down, especially with the 'trust and obey' and all will be well attitude.
If it were a lost limb people would respond differently but when it is a lost (or damaged mind) different rules apply.
Thank you for writing as you have, may God bless you,
Vic
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