I remember the first time I heard the phrase, “Not my circus, not my monkeys.” I was in undergrad. I thought it was hilarious. For some reason, I attribute it to Roma wisdom. Maybe because of some stereotype I have about what kind of people are tied to circuses.
Malls used to be a regular part of my life. My high school years were often spent at Promenade Mall in Tulsa, going into different stores and watching all the people. I would often see stressed out mothers, yanking their kids’ arms, yelling at them, spanking them, embarrassing them. It hurt and irritated me to see. I wanted to say something, but I knew it wasn’t my business.
Old Crow Medicine Show was a band I listened to a good deal in undergrad. One of their songs on the album Big Iron World was called “Let It Alone.” The chorus sang: “Let it alone, let it alone! If it don’t concern you, let it alone. Don’t go around putting on airs and messing in other folks’ affairs. If you don’t know, say so. Mind your own business and let it alone!” Each verse described a different situation in which things seem to be one way but actually they are another, and how interloping causes more harm than good.
There is surely some wisdom to these pieces of culture that I picked up over the years. Human situations are often very difficult to understand. It is certainly easier and often safer to be silent when things seem to be wrong. Affairs often do blow over, and life goes on. Most humans, at least in some situations, have negotiated with life to just stay silent and accept that the world is imperfect. No doubt, at least in some situations, this is the only way to have any semblance of peace in this life. It is simply unrealistic and, honestly, miserable to imagine speaking up and acting on every perceived injustice. Moreover, nobody likes an interloper. People need discernment to see where their story ends and another person’s begins. Just because I have strong feelings about a matter does not entitle me to a role in an unfolding story. Being a responsible adult has to mean that I accept that I am not the center of the world. This is good.
John Wesley, the founder of my particular tradition (Methodism), looked around the Anglican scene in 18th century Great Britain and was distressed at the nominal Christianity that had become so normal, not just among the laity, but even among the clergy. Ordained within the Church of England, he was unfortunately something of a biblical literalist, meaning he found himself in conflict with the norms of his day. As he took leadership of the Methodist Revival, which spilled out all across the countryside, his bishop called him to task and reprimanded him for operating outside of his parish. Wesley’s response? “The world is my parish.” Flat out, to the face of that bishop, he scorned the notion that there might be jurisdictions, insisting on his right to speak and lead wherever sinners had a wish to flee from the wrath to come.
I’m used to folks setting the bounds of what I’m allowed to speak about. For years, people in the pews have gotten offended when I speak to how they should use their money, how they should govern their households or relationships, how they should behave (or shouldn’t) in the bed, how much they should or shouldn’t drink, or gamble, or socialize with unrepentant sinners. I insist that it is my responsibility to speak to exactly such things. Moreover, now that I have publicly left The United Methodist Church, many insist that I should no longer speak about the umbrella under which I grew up. Not my circus anymore, right?
Well, see, it still feels like my circus. I actually left the UMC for the explicit reason that I wanted to speak publicly about it without fear of reprisal from the institution. The notion that one can only speak truth to power when one is under that power’s authority is somewhat ridiculous. It all but guarantees that the institution will never be seriously challenged. And though I would like to imagine that UMC leadership will choose righteousness without any check on their behavior, I have very little confidence that many will choose this.
I do not see myself as a reporter, nor as an interloper. I self-identify as an ambassador of my Lord Jesus Christ, who is the way, the TRUTH, and the life. He has called me to speak truth to the world, as it is also my parish, about things and people far and wide. When I do not know enough to speak with wisdom, I will be silent. But when I stand firmly on the truth of God, I will speak. Some will listen and give thanks. Others will stop their ears and curse me. God will be glorified.
And you know, for those of you who have the Holy Spirit, sometimes called the Spirit of Truth (ex. John 16), I’m pretty sure the expectation is that you behave similarly. Whether or not you are under authority, whether you can get hurt for it, whether it will be the right timing (2 Tim. 4:2), God help you if you keep your mouth shut. Because the truth is that we are living in a world of lies and secrecy. God has sent us as ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:2) to make his appeal before it is too late for them. That means we speak when they would have us be silent.
A good thought experiment: Who is glorified by silence? Who benefits from secrecy and darkness? As the Gospel of John says, the world hated Christ because he is the light and he shines in the darkness, but those who love darkness (because their deeds are evil) hate him. And they hate those who likewise cast a light in the darkness. Satan is glorified by silence and darkness. Insofar as our words are based in truth, exposing evil, God is glorified. May all true believers speak such words!
For those of you who choose to heed my words, thank you. Pray for me, that I keep my mouth free from deceit and conceit. May God continually increase in me, that I might decrease. Christ is worthy.
"Whether or not you are under authority, whether you can get hurt for it, whether it will be the right timing (2 Tim. 4:2), God help you if you keep your mouth shut."
This idea is why my wife and I are leaving our local UMC which has not even discussed disaffiliation. I feel deeply that my continuing to attend a UMC, I'm by default affirming the actions they've taken to completely disregard the BOD. Me staying is an act of silence and I can not in good conscious say/do nothing.
Jeffrey, I agree with with your statements. Discernment through the Holy Spirit is important. I have learned to listen first to what someone is saying. If I disagree and with discernment, I will speak up. I believe not speaking up will lead the other person to think you agree. It is important to disagree without being disagreeable. If the person is unreasonable then it is time to say "You may be right." Then walk away. There is no reason to argue if the other person refuses to allow you to have beliefs that are different from their beliefs. Speaking truth to power is difficult. I have done it many times with various results. Some folks will say to me afterwards, "I'm so glad you said that because I was thinking the same". At the time I would feel very much alone. I watched the clip where you spoke boldly to the Bishop. I was both proud of you and concerned for you. Grace and peace, Eileen