He Loves You Anyway

Published in Alive Now

March/April (2010):26-27

"Speaking Truth to Power"

Ashby, a precocious six year old in my previous church, received a "no" from her mother, Nancy, in response to something she had asked for. Ashby, clearly devastated by this answer, stared her mother in the eyes for some time before tucking her head close to her heart, raising her hand to her lips, and whispering something unclear into her chest. She then paused, looked up, turned her ear to her chest, and listened. Nancy watched all of this with curiosity, waited a few minutes, and then asked Ashby what she was doing. Ashby replied hands on hips, "I told God what you said." Clearly Ashby had appealed to a higher authority who would perhaps bring justice to this unreasonable ordeal. Nancy paused and then asked Ashby, "Well, what did God say?" Ashby ex-haled, rolled her eyes a bit, and replied, "He said he loves you anyway."

Ashby’s actions were a bold but peaceful challenge to the authority she was under. These types of challenges, even in Ashby's small way, are a risky business — especially when we are uncertain of the outcome. Bold language and actions that support our convictions are effective ways to disagree peacefully. They work because they create a breach in the sys-tem, a threat to those in power. Jesus’ threat came as promises about a new authority under the reign of God. When Peter told the Sanhedrin, "There is sal-vation in no one else; for there is no other name un-der heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12), he subverted the hierarchy of his day. His boldness not only claimed a higher au-thority than empire, it issued an inclusive invitation for all people.

In verse 13 we learn that the boldness of this witness had an effect on the Sanhedrin. "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed, and recognized them as companions of Jesus." Peter’s words, like Ashby’s, were effective because they were authentic. Honest words from "ordinary" people can have great power, even if their full implication isn’t known at the time.

We too have the opportunity to speak to an authority higher than any law, bondage, or injustice. In large and small grievances, we need only speak to our hearts and listen to the God of the universe who speaks back into our lives. Our authentic witness will strengthen our words and allow the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of listeners. That relationship and a simple and entirely radical message can still subvert the empire: God loves us anyway.

-Katie Carson Webster