Engaging With The World
04/03/2017 .When I think about what’s happening around the world right now (terrorism, persecution, poverty, trafficking, devastating natural disasters, racism, inhumane treatment of the earth and each other…), I’m overwhelmed. And the most tempting responses?
- Disengage - don’t think or talk or learn anymore about it - out of sight = out of mind.
- React - out of fear, anger, hatred - let my emotions control my reaction and lash out impulsively, lacking grace, love, or maybe even a good understanding of what’s really going on.
Maybe disengaging is such an alluring option because if I were to participate in the conversation, I’d feel like I need to pick a side - conservative or liberal, democrat or republican, Fox News or CNN, tolerant or intolerant, etc. etc. etc. So, I’ve been having a hard time finding my voice. Not literally, I can speak and sing (kind of) just fine. I mean actually taking advantage of this whole freedom of speech thing by speaking up for what’s right and remaining passionate about important topics… Because even if I did, who would care? Would it make a difference? And WHICH THING should I even talk about??
So, alas, I haven’t really. Not enough at least. But that can’t be right either. Because it’s important to care. It’s necessary to put loving and gracious truth into the world. It’s crucial that I don’t waste this freedom others have died to give me - to have a voice, a vote, and a conviction (even if it’s not well received).
I was born into a middle-class family in Orange County, CA (a.k.a. the place responsible for The O.C., The Real Housewives of Orange County, MTV’s Laguna Beach and the best and least ridiculous: Disneyland). With that privilege has come comfort and opportunity that is not matched by much of the world, or even some of America. This reality makes me think long and hard about Luke 12:48 (“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded. And from the one trusted with much, much more will be expected.”) because, that’s me! I’ve been given and trusted with much. So, I cannot choose ignorance, even if it is bliss. I can’t keep my mouth shut, even if it is easier. Nor can I run it however and whenever I feel like it.
So, in light of our current social climate and the divisive (at best, hateful at worst) rhetoric that’s becoming the norm, I want to use my voice, and I’m praying it fosters love and not dissension. We are not for a lack of injustice in this world – every day we are witness to evils capable of rendering us hopeless. But my belief is this: prayer is powerful, and for those with the means and gifting to take further action, should!
The beauty about being unique is that we’ve all been endowed with different passions and talents useful for tackling all kinds of inequities. Therefore, it doesn’t seem loving or productive to condescendingly bully people into action, or make all-inclusive statements and judgements about what is or isn’t the right way to respond.
Rather, “[God’s] already made it plain how to live…It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). In our pursuit of peace and justice, I believe language is unequivocally important. Words have the power to break barriers, bring healing, change history, and ignite action.
But we must beware, “[The devil] always sends errors into the world in pairs - pairs of opposites. And he always encourages us to spend a lot of time thinking which is the worse. You see why, of course? He relies on your extra dislike of the one error to draw you gradually into the opposite one. But do not let us be fooled. We have to keep our eyes on the goal and go straight through between both errors. We have no other concern than that with either of them.” - C.S. Lewis
King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, “I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. So, don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.”
When approaching difficult topics, it feels so natural to pick a side, and sometimes that’s crucial - when it’s black and white, good and evil. But if it’s not, I’m learning the wisest, and most life-giving response is to avoid extremes. It doesn’t matter to Satan if I’m completely without morals or a modern-day Pharisee, both extremes suit his purposes just fine.
So, I’m challenging myself to think critically, avoid extremes by looking for God’s truth on both sides of the argument, seek out what’s really being said behind the pain and anger of another, and approach subjects prayerfully by remaining in daily relationship with God and reading His Word. Most importantly, I’m asking God to help me be slow to speak, quick to love, and to lead with empathy (something I need a lot of help with).