Political Uproar:

An Unpopular Opinion

I already know that I am going to make a bunch of people angry solely at the title of this blog. In fact, I chose to rename the blog because the original name I was going to use would have been even worse. It probably comes at no surprise that in today's world, due diligence has hastened its way out of the window when it comes to fully researching and/or reading articles to the full extent before making an opinion. I would be naïve to think it won't happen with this article.

This last Sunday I gave a sermon on the parable of the Lost Coin. The main aspect of this simple-3-verse parable surrounds the principle of everything and everyone matters. This woman lost a coin. To this woman, the coin is precious, costly and dear to her. Think about something to you that is near, precious and possibly costly that you own while we think of this parable. This woman has 10 coins. She values each and every one of these coins. When she loses the coin, she understands it isn’t a tragedy because she still has 9 left. Here is the thing. It isn’t about the quantity. This woman has a respect for the value of each coin. I challenge you to think about that. It could be a penny or a $100 bill, it didn’t matter. Each one of those coins meant something to her, she valued them the same no matter their worth.

This begs a couple of questions: What is it that we value and do we realize how valuable we are to God? Each and every one of us were uniquely made. We are a unique being mostly because of the dignity and value that God has placed on each one of us. There is a dark force, a negative evil force in this world that likes to mess with us and make us question our own worth. How often have you noticed that the news, tv shows, social media are centered around stories that talk down about people or break people down and why? It is easy! It is easy to make someone else feel bad about themselves because internally it gives a sense of power and pride. This negative force in the world knows that if we think badly enough about ourselves, we will not only question our worth, our usefulness and our productivity, we will also help take down those that seem to have more self-esteem and confidence. There are roughly 7.7 billion people in the world. Our of that 7.7 people in the world, there is no one that matters more than you do and no one that matters less than you do. Think about that. Each one of you matters. If one person is lost when it comes to how they see themselves, that matters. In God’s eyes, when one person loses their sense of worth and their sense of dignity, that matters just as much to God as it would if all of us lost our worth.

I made a promise to myself that I would never utter the following phrase in a sermon or on social media because I know as soon as I do, someone is going to immediately take it the wrong way. Before I do, here is a personal disclaimer: my following thoughts are not meant to cause a political uproar. Please do not take them that way or try to warp what I am saying as trying to discount anyone or any group! Thank you for your time:

All Lives Matter.

Now, that phrase has been used in this country, specifically, to counter a subgroup that exists. I am not here to be part of that movement. My comment of All Lives Matter has nothing to do with specific political issues. All Lives Matter is me making a statement pointing out that in God’s eyes, no one person matters more than any other person in this world. There is no supreme race, supreme gender, supreme culture, supreme language. This notion of superiority DOES NOT EXIST in the eyes of God! Mankind, with help of this negative and evil force, has created this delusion that we have the right to make a decision on behalf of God to discredit any person that we see as being inferior. I did a skit a few months ago, and a line from the portrayal of God was: Your thoughts are not my thoughts and your ways are not my ways. Reread that! Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts and our ways are not God’s ways. If there were, we wouldn’t feel this need to fight God when he tries to get us to think outside of what it is we want.

I can't stand to be on social media right now as all I read are statements being made blaming evangelical Christians for everything going on in the world. It comes down to a thought I shared earlier in this post: It is easy! It is easy to make someone else feel bad about themselves because internally it gives a sense of power and pride back. I know there are political issues in our country that have people continually divided. What makes issues contentious is the fact that ego and pride have prevented us from being able to discuss and find common ground or a compromise. The word compromise alone is triggering for both sides because that means someone or both sides have to give up something they don't want to give up.

The photos in this section are just two examples of so many I have seen. Do you want to know what I find remarkably hilarious? It is the fact that I am reading the posts blaming evangelicals, churches, "Christians," for everything changing in our government. The same people are the ones that I have also witnessed posting about this need for true equality for all. Different groups of people will fight for human rights and social justice when it means they can get something they want. When an opposite group makes a comment that may go against that thought, it goes from fighting for something good to degrading and berating someone for being different.

I do not believe as a Spiritual Caregiver and Leader that I have the right to tell someone else what they need to believe. I am called to love everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. I do not agree with political views I see friends/colleagues state on social media. I know they probably wouldn't agree with mine either. Do I go on social media and say things such as, "If you don't agree with me, just unfriend me now?" Absolutely not. Why? I am not going to shut off conversation that could happen because I think I should be right and no one else matters. I am so over the quickness of a group of people coming together, on either side of the fence, and immediately blaming the other side for all of their problems. Guess what? We all have a choice in how we choose to react to everyone. We might be able to find that we can come up with solutions in this world that would benefit everyone if we would only PUT OUR EGO AWAY! Not one person matters more than someone else. One political side isn't more correct than the other. One culture isn't more important than another. One gender isn't more important than another. One race isn't more important than another. One religion isn't more important than another.

I happen to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Because of my faith, my studying, my understanding and beliefs, I may think a certain way. I have never and will never tell someone that they are completely wrong for believing differently than me. I am willing to point out incorrect statements that are made such as: " I don't believe in Jesus or believe this person exists." Jesus of Nazareth is a historically documented being. From my perspective the statement should be that the person does not believe Jesus to be the Messiah. Why can't we just have conversations without the need to tear down a broad group of people because that is the simpler technique? .

My heart hurts, and I feel unsafe around people that I care about because of how they choose to portray their thoughts and feelings. Everyone has the right to feel what they feel. Everyone has the right to express themselves. At what point is it okay to express your emotions/feelings in a way that tears someone else down so you can feel better? I have done it and I know how it can damage someone else as well as myself. It has taken practice to get away from that. I have also had to sit and listen to family/friends react to their emotions in a way that has been harmful to me without even a hint of being apologetic. Do I love them any less? No, absolutely not. Stop the Political Uproar. Being in an uproar only causes more chaos and harm. Take time to breathe. Find the people you may be upset with and communicate. Our Government would be wise to actually practice this instead of their egos being the only thing they use to think and act with.

Galatians 6:2 says, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."