Created for such a time as this...

The David of the Bible so unabashedly called upon the LORD, the Lord of Hosts, to curse his enemies and bring Israel victory in battle. I don’t know about you, but half of the book of Psalms seems like something straight out of King Arthur or Braveheart which, while those are inspiring movies for boy and girl alike, is not exactly a life I relate with. The words of great wisdom and strength pronounced from the mouths of bold, buff, and courageous men in armor is something I’d like to see, but never will in my stock exchange and engineering male friends. Likewise, the grace, poise and long, flowing hair of each heroine is a seemingly absurd standard to achieve in a city like Chicago, where the pulse and energy of corporate is bound to knock any women off the track of a balanced, beautiful life.

Okay, I’m getting off topic…

The God David portrays in the Psalms is cool, but since I don’t have men in armor and swords at their hips (nor am I king) knocking on my door, albeit even friend or foe, I have to say I tune out until I hear (or read) David exclaiming over the Lord’s faithfulness or the majesty of the mountains. Well, that is to say, until now…

I found this great, new church. I have only gone their once, during a mid-week service, but I know it’s great…I just do. It’s called Chicago Tabernacle and it’s located in North Centre, supposedly the old Ravenswood neighborhood. (Means little to me too. I just got here.) I’ll skip the expose on the heart-stirring, soul-lifting manner in which they usher in the presence of God in prayer and worship. Call me if you want to hear about; or rather, go check it out for yourself.

A brief history lesson about this ethnically diverse congregation. It was begun in 2001, by Pastor Al and Chrissy Toledo, who previously oversaw a church in the Bronx of New York, but felt called to Chicago, to start a church plant.

Back to me :smile:…Living (and breathing) the South Side of Chicago and all its many quirks, pleasures, and disparities, I have increasingly felt it necessary that I return to a church like the one which nurtured me in Grand Rapids, Madison Square, and which whole-heartedly believes in the God of the Nations. (And I didn’t get a degree in International Relations for some unimpassioned reason.) So, the prayers and testimonies and songs of this congregation resonate with my experience.

(I am not a “young urban professional” as one may stereotypically conjure. In fact, I am the literal of all three of those words. I am more yuppie than yuppie can be. I am young. I am urban. And I am professional (well, most hours of the day). I’m sorry, but the white, young, evangelical, seeker-sensitive church does not speak to my world. I don’t make these comments with contempt…at all. It’s taken me awhile to realize that on Sunday morning or Thursday evening…I don’t “fit” in these churches. Ironic really, since 95% of the people I socialize with and “fit” with 95% of my week, do appreciate these churches and “fit” just fine.:shrug:)

Back to Bible David…Last Thursday night the associate pastor of Chicago Tabernacle “brought it home,” so to speak in His (yes, capital “h”) message on Psalm 23. Despite all the Sunday School lessons on the famous shepherd passage, my attention was sustained. (You know, if the Bible had only one verse, Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” we really would be set for life. But, the Lord graced us with many more passages and stories.)

See, random, senseless violence is a thing of my (albeit, new) world. My “coffee guy", who brought me to life most mornings with a smile, a smooth line, and a warm cup of caffeine, was murdered this weekend in his apartment. 29 years old. The CTA bus shooting just 10 days ago affected the very same demographic I speak with each day. The bank robbery that has made Chicago’s headlines for 2 days now and reaped pictures that could send chills down everyone’s spin…yeah, that’s our bank. It’s just a few blocks away. Police stormed my building at 12:30 a.m. Monday night in a case of domestic violence. A neighbor, who was a better Samaritan than the rest of us who ignored the “help!” cries of some panicked woman, called the police. Another neighbor let the police into the building. And, there have been three shootings in just one month on my block. (My Bronzeville block in back, not my Hyde Park block in front, for those who know where I live.)

I realized that night in the pew of Chicago Tabernacle that I do know the God of Great Battle expressed by David. The battle I encounter is often invisible. It’s wrapped in Insecurity, Fear, and Hatred. It’s less organized and the front lines blur and move. But, it’s still battle.

Those very same battle Psalms of David almost always end in thanks to the Lord for His great faithfulness and provision, even in the times when we do not know we are being provided for…or being protected.

Anyways…I am thankful today for the God of Great Battle who has protected me. And pray against the enemies of this city, whose desire is to overcome the streets and kill our kids.

(I’ll have you know, I am not some great spiritual. Rather, I forced myself to spend time in thankfulness because today I have been anything but thankful. I’ve wallowed my morning away and I want to enjoy the rest of today.)