This Sunday in worship we welcome as our guest preacher someone who is a little unorthodox and not your everyday Presbyterian. In fact he's 2,700 years old, the prophet Amos. He has had the good fortune of traveling here through the spiritual time travel machine all the way from the northern kingdom of Israel. Please forgive him if he is not fully aware of how things are here in 21st Century Johns Creek. He may lack cultural sensitivity. He might even have a few "anger issues." But do know that he comes here very simply sent by God to deliver God's message.
I suppose we might need to get out of bed this Sunday and make our way into our beloved chapel since he is coming from such a faraway place and time with surely something important to share. Now mind you: the message may cause us to squirm. It may cause us to be a bit uncomfortable. It may cause us to think differently than before. But I am confident we can handle it.
Amos' message, he tells me, is about how justice rolls down like a waterfall. And waterfalls, as we all know, aren't subtle. Think Niagara, Yosemite, Victoria. We're talking churning, spewing, overflowing, cascading torrents of water. I suppose justice-God's justice-is a little like that. Join me Sunday in finding out more as we welcome Amos to our pulpit!
I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I \will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
-Amos 5:21-24