This past week’s incident with Don Imus had an effect on the worship service this past Sunday.  I know it sounds odd, but I awoke Sunday morning with these nagging thoughts that something was wrong about the whole case.  I would agree that Don Imus has said things that were not appropriate; I don’t care if other people are using them.  That still doesn’t make it right.  Don was sharply criticized by Reverend Al Sharptin.  It seemed that Rev. Sharptin felt Don needed to be fired for his racial slur, and was adamant that an apology just wasn’t enough.  Rev. Sharptin probably feels that he has accomplished something important for tolerance in this nation of ours, and through his efforts perhaps white America will think twice before they use the same words black America uses, even broadcasting them over the airwaves in their Rap Music.

            Well, I was bothered by this incident because of what I would soon be doing; standing in a pulpit as a representative of Jesus.  I imagined that at nearly the same time Reverend Sharptin would be standing in his.  And I wondered what he would be preaching and teaching that Sunday.  Would people hear the word of God, or would they simply hear of a great legal accomplishment.

            Al Sharptin is the Pastor of a church in Harlem; pastor of a church that professes Jesus as Lord and Savior.  I wonder what impact that must have had on Don Imus from a Kingdom perspective?  I wonder what effect it must have had with what Al should primarily be concerned about; Don Imus’ eternal soul.

            It’s so easy for Christians to get politically or socially motivated to change this land for the good of the Kingdom, but I honestly believe that our first priority should not be to merely change the laws but to change the people; to change a person.

            Can you imagine the impact a Christian Don Imus could have on this nation of ours?  Can you imagine the difference in Don Imus if, instead of pursuing legal action, Reverend Sharptin would have shared the message of Jesus?  As a representative of Jesus, I believe Reverend Sharptin has a responsibility to first share Jesus, not social reform.  Let that to the lawmakers and the politicians. 

            I believe if we first change the people, the nation will follow; not the other way around.  Change the nation without changing the people and you have a nation that is poised on the brink of collapse; where laws are written in the courts instead of on our hearts.  In other words, its one thing to tell Don Imus what he did was wrong, but is not the greater task to have him understand why?  And that, I believe, is the task we have been called to do.