I just saw this today on my Pinterest feed. After the last two days, I consider this divinely sent.
I expected my last post to incite someone, and it did. The exchange that I had with the random individual solidified my distrust of ALL Christians right now, regardless of race. I feel like I’ve been sold out by my own people, and my people aren’t even sorry about it. I am commanded to forgive them, and I will. I will NOT forget. I will NOT be quiet. I will NOT normalize this chaos. I will NOT spout platitudes while real people are suffering. I will NOT reconcile or unify with people whom I do not trust, even if we have the word “Christian” in common.
And that is the biggest shame of all…that there are Christians on the right side AND the wrong side of this fight. I would pay to see the look on God’s face right now.
I don’t like throwing Scripture at people for the sake of doing it, but as a minister, I do meditate on verses when the Holy Spirit calls them back to me. That’s the reason for studying them in the first place; personal growth, not as rocks and clubs to beat people over the head with. I’ve been ruminating on the following passages since my last posting. Bear with me.
“Let not then your good be evil spoken of” (Romans 14:16)
Don’t let the good that you’re doing as Christ’s representative on Earth be misunderstood or perceived as evil by the people that you say that you’re trying to help. I’m not seeing many conservative republicans walking in that right now, but that’s for them to answer for, and not to me. I apply this verse to myself when I blog, because even though I can throw down words with the best of them, I don’t fight to beat people down or to prove that I’m right. I fight for a positive outcome. I fight for better understanding on both sides. If that’s not possible, then I change my strategy. And sometimes, that strategy calls for backing away from foolishness and futility. It’s not a loss; it’s a cease-fire.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)
Jesus said this. He didn’t command us to oppress and inflict suffering on people. He didn’t command us to scratch and bite for political power, then pass laws to impose our hatred and bigotry on innocent people. He didn’t command us to take healthcare away from the people in this country who need it most. He didn’t command us to support every nickel-slick snake-oil salesman who tickles our ears with the right words. He didn’t command us to hand the country over to the devil and his minions. He commanded us to show the same mercy, compassion, and sacrifice to each other that He showed to us. Jesus never put His foot on anybody’s neck to make Himself rich, famous, or powerful. Jesus never forced Himself or His agenda on anyone. Jesus challenged the religious right and oppressive power structure of His time, making it very clear who He was representing. And He knew when to move forward and when to back away.
That’s the example that I try to follow. If any of that offends you, then take it up with my Daddy.
I woke up this morning singing this hymn to myself. I leave you with these most relevant lyrics. Blessings and Peace.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.
And we pray that our unity may one day be restored.
And they’ll know that we are Christians by our love, by our love
And they’ll know that we are Christians BY OUR LOVE.
