Waves of Opinions

As an outsider who has not lived in the United States for over 3 years, the title waves that form on my Facebook feed from the popular story of the month, from the thousands that are out there to be chosen from, has been quite interesting to watch. What does it mean? Where do I fit into modern American events? How does it affect me as I sit literally another world away? A world in which people wonder daily if there will be an electricity blackout or water coming out of the sink or enough food on the table night after night.

I’ve seen plenty of articles shared and floating around out there and I want to encourage everyone to remember that every single writer, including myself, has a bias and an opinion to try and get across and let us be aware that in emotionally charged times, emotionally charged articles fly around with misquotations, misrepresentations and pushes toward different ideas. Be careful what you read and take deep into your heart- both sides know the bias game well.

Just recently a FB friend of mine posted an article which ended up getting several shares, likes and agitated comments against an accused person in the article. Not even 24 hours later the article was shown completely false but what had already been circulated could not be undone. Blame is pointed everywhere- be careful where you point.

All this has brought me back to a scripture that has long been taught and yet possibly long forgotten. In Luke Jesus sounds out a parable that goes something like this:

                “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men- robbers, evildoers, adulterers- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

In troubling times, analysis come from the left and right as to whose fault this is, why and how. And if we are not careful we find ourselves in the position quite similar to above praying:

                “God, I thank you that I am not like that mother who just let her child wonder off at the zoo.”

                “Oh Lord I am so glad I am nothing like those evangelical Christians.”

                “Praise the Lord I am not a Muslim!”

                “Thank you God that I am not gay.”

                “Thank heavens I am nothing like those Trump supporters.”

                “I am happy Lord that you didn’t make me one of those thug Mexicans.”

                “Lord thank you that I am nothing like that rapist and other evil men in the world”

                “Thank you Lord that I actually love animals unlike disgusting white men who shoot them.”

This doesn’t mean bad things are not bad and injustice does not deserve punishment, but when we put up walls elevating ourselves above those who we see as so bad, so unworthy and ignorant we create more chaos than peace. This is evident in the reports of protesters so bad that the dentists couldn't go back to work after Cecil. Or a mother getting hate mail (from people she's never met) on her Facebook and people calling her job demanding she's fired over a completely unrelated guerrilla event. Violence from strangers on the side of those who do and do not support Trump. The idea that somehow we are a better person, parent, friend and need to teach others a lesson. I believe Jesus talked much about individual heart change than a social revival with the idea that it all starts with me.

As a Christ follower I’ve been particularly keen when articles are posted showing how evangelicals are the reason for all this hurt and all this pain. And instead of lashing back out or posting articles countering I’ve tried to stay in the zone where no matter what comes, I do not blame but look into myself at all the times I have messed up, ask for forgiveness and move forward in a life of love. Because when we blame we build walls. And I’m not just talking about a Donald Trump wall but heart walls where we want nothing to do with a particular type of people because they are not like me and will never be like me and will never understand me. Instead of reaching toward our enemy we bash away. Remember in Matthew Jesus said, “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Who do you consider your enemy? Would you pray for them? Or in the story of the good Samaritan, would you risk your safety to help an enemy? Maybe as Christians at times we’ve wrongly considered gays our enemies and in return the LGBT community has considered Christians their enemies. Can we lay down our swords, pray and act to help one another even if it comes at a cost to ourselves?

When  Jesus roamed the earth, his death and resurrection meant two longtime enemies could now become one, reconciled. Ephesians says,

“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

The very idea that I myself use to be an outsider but am now through Jesus on the inside with the hope of God in the world should give me such a humble, thankful heart that outward blame can never again be the default. As I Gentile, the wall between me and God and me and others has been broken!

As I sit bundled up in my house in Malawi on a winter day with a slight cold not feeling well enough to go out, this is where my thoughts and heart goes. For all of us to take a step back when we are so hurting and remember, a mountain of blame may help us feel better in the short run but it will never bring change. Only forgiveness and love to those we don’t particularly care for will bring change. When we talk about what we are for, who we forgive and how we ourselves are working on becoming more loving then we block out the division instead of highlighting it.