Muddle Through The Mess

I grew up in what was affectionately known as a “military family”. What that meant was I had the opportunity to travel a few times as my dad was stationed at different locations around the world. I didn’t move as much as many, but I had my share. It was a blessing in that I found myself exposed to MANY different cultures and practices of life. I had friends that fit the diaspora of the world and became very adept at understanding differences and their purpose in individual lives. The curse was I didn’t value relationships as much as some because I knew that there was a chance I would have to move, and it was “safer” for me to not truly invest in those around me.

I bring this up because this week was really tough. Although I don’t post a lot on social media (I must work on that on the church side…all help would be accepted), I frequent Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to keep up with the world around me. Due to the diverse relationships I have formed over the years, my timeline has been UTTER CHAOS! I have seen the viewpoints and lives of individuals who I forgot I was even friends with. And those views have ranged from one extreme to another especially regarding the death of a prominent conservative political activist. I saw posts saying, “He deserved to die and go to hell because of his viewpoints.” and then others that said, “He was a martyr for Christianity that should be revered and placed in the highest section of heaven.”

BOTH viewpoints grieved my spirit this week. Here are three reasons why:

1. We are supposed to LOVE our enemies. Matthew 4 is clear – pray for those who persecute you and recognize that the Lord allows the sun to shine on the just AND the unjust. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we are to condemn folks to hell or pray on their downfall. While he may not have been a saint and said all the “right” things, we should NEVER look for this kind of “justice” to rain down on our enemies. It’s heartless and downright sinful. A life was lost. Let’s realize that and acknowledge that a family lost someone.
2. He was not a martyr and should not be idolized as one. There is a plethora of scriptures that forbid idolatry and the explicit worship of things or people of this earth. For someone to technically be considered a “martyr” they would have to have been killed based on their religious beliefs alone. There were many things that played a role in this loss of life that transcend religion – politics, societal systems, and philosophical stances to name a few. Let’s stop with the deifications and recognize that despite what “good” you may have seen, he was still human and had flaws that will place him before God with the rest of us on the day of judgment.
3. We should be in a state of mourning loss. It’s simple – Romans 12:15 says “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”  What I have seen is a constant barrage of hate spewed from both sides at EACH OTHER all over a difference of opinions and philosophical beliefs. I have learned that people have begun to place those feelings higher in their lives than their call to Christianity. To be with those who need comfort. To agree to disagree. To love on their fellow man despite the differences. 

All of this was to say I don’t have all the answers. But I do know this – we are called to be Christians above all else. Above Democrat or Republican. Above black, white, brown, or any other color. Above our careers. Above our life choices. Above who we believe we are. When I am in these times, I run to the Word. And maybe that’s why I have been placed in the space of writing this note. To draw closer to the Word that reveals more of what I should believe versus depending on the ideas of man. Because if that would be the case, I would be one confused individual.

Where do you stand? Take a moment to ask yourself, “Am I putting God above everything else in my life?”

Rooted In Love,
Pastor Thaddaeus