I don’t know about anyone else, but I am emotionally and spiritually drained from all the hate and division. How did we get here- rich against poor, white skin against brown and black, man against woman, LBGTQ against straight, right against left and every spectrum of my way verses yours? How did we all fall victim to the sickness that invades Washington politics? How did we allow this disease to invade the Christian community causing many to flee church and God?
We have watched as politics have tumbled into a battlefield and we say enough, but we have let that evil invade our daily life. friendships have been fractured and families torn apart. Hateful words and name calling have become the norm and we don’t want to see the pain of others or try to understand them. We want to puff up in our own pride because we are sure we are right and justified in our stance. We don’t want to see or hear from anyone who disagrees with us.
A constant barrage of half-truths, lies and cruel memes spread across our social media daily and we blindly pass them on because they solidify our belief that we are right. We care very little if the information we share is true because we are too busy to fact check anything and besides, everyone else is doing the same thing. We take great glee in belittling others and putting someone else down. We teach our children not to bully, but what example are we setting?
Many women have come forward in the last few weeks and shared stories of sexual harassment and rape that they have internalized for years. They have been held up to ridicule, blasted as liars and victimized again. How did we get here?
Young people whose lives were torn apart by gun violence have come forward and shared their pain and frustration. They have been demonized and treated with hate and distain. How did we get here?
Young black men are petrified and living in fear of the police because they have been let down by the courts and society. So many refuse to see or acknowledge the discrepancy in the way they are viewed and treated. How did we get here?
Children are being ripped from the arms of loving parents who are fleeing violence. They are being housed in tent cities in the Texas heat while their parents are often deported without them. These parents must then struggle with the nightmare of locating their children. How did we get here?
Being homeless is a real and growing problem, but we don’t see it. We give very little to how this happens or what steps can be taken to fix the problem. Many, with their self-righteous attitude are too busy blaming the victims for their situation. How did we get here?
Drugs have invaded our streets and homes, lives have been lost and hearts shattered. Families bury their loved ones, crime increases and society doesn’t seem to care unless it impacts them personally. Mental health care falls far short of hat is needed. How did we get here?
Young people are coming out of school without the basic ability to read, write or do simple math. The US ranks 38th out of 71 countries in math and 24th in science according to the PSIA. Our country tops all others in spending but the results do not reflect it. College prices have continued to soar making it inaccessible to many. These young people are our future and we are letting them down. Teachers are overworked and underpaid. How did we get here?
As a nation, I have always viewed us as having the kindest, most caring people in the world. We have always stood up for human rights and fought for justice.Somewhere, we have taken a wrong turn. How did we get here?
I long for peace and love to once again be the norm of this country. I want the hateful rhetoric and hateful words to disappear. I want a government which cares about all its citizens, a government which hears all voices and works to find solutions to the problems we face. I am looking for peacemakers.
Matthew 5:9″Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
It starts with you and me. It starts with loving our fellow man. It starts with communication. We have to drop this mind set that I am right and you are wrong. We have to stop our judge mental attitude. Diversity, different beliefs and lifestyles are the things which make us great as a nation. As a Christian, we have never convinced anyone to come to God while showing hate. By our words and actions, others will see Christ in us.
James 2:14-17″What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warned and filled” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So, also , faith by itself if it does not have. works is dead.”
Feeling the pain of others and showing empathy does not make us weak or foolish, it does however show God’s love. Healing this broken national is possible. It starts with holding our leaders accountable. It starts by being informed citizens of the world. It starts by putting our faith and trust in the sovereignty of God. It starts by holding our pastors to a higher standard and not following blindly those who do not teach the word of God. It starts by being brutally honest about our own words and actions. It starts by living the golden rule.
Matthew 7:12″Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
It starts with compassion, empathy and love. It starts with being a peacemaker. Go out today and be the light in someone’s world.
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