They Are Not Just Words

This has been an election cycle that has brought out the worst in people.

And this “worst” applies to EVERYONE.

Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter have given people a chance to do and say pretty much whatever they want to any person they wish.  As a result many people do a lot of things which they would never contemplate doing in real life or face to face  – and it seems more prevalent because there are so many platforms for people to use in expressing their opinions.

Both political parties – Republicans and Democrats – are known for getting carelessly carried away with name calling when stakes and tensions are high in the political arena. Regardless, there is no excuse for this type of name-calling that has surfaced, especially if you are a Christian.

What you speak are not just words.  They mean something.  They reveal something about you.

In the last 24 hours, I have been called ignorant, judgmental, a moron, uneducated, naive, racist, stupid, a woman-hater, a hypocrite, a bigot, a pinhead,  an idiot,  a rape-loving, gay-bashing wing-nut and a slew of other names that are not fit for repeating on this website.  All while getting lectured by an 22-year-old college student enlightening to me on the failures of George Bush and the finer nuances of the political process and telling me how great Obama is and that I am un-American and I represent all of these names if I don’t support him.

This phenomenon occurs when someone becomes ten foot tall and bullet proof when addressing others on a message board.  It is a common practice for them to make bold statements, on the internet, knowing there is no way to be held accountable.

If you’re selling anger and scorn against conservative Christians, the market is hot.

Now for the record… I do not offend easily.  Pretty much you can say what you want to my face and I can handle it.  At work, I hear bad language all the time and I do not wear my Christianity on my sleeve to the point that I get offended at the drop of a hat.  So I want to make clear that these hateful words were not written specifically towards me, but were thrown in my direction and posted on Facebook last night when the election was over.  These words were posted to anyone who voted for Mitt Romney.  The saddest truth is… that most of these words but not all were posted by a  young man that calls himself a born again Christian.

Whether or not this young man is a believer or not is not mine to judge.  God will do that one day. 

However, I wanted to so much respond to his rant and express to him that I had t-shirts that were older than him and that I wasn’t the person that was naive.   He was all of ten years old when George Bush took office and what possible life experiences could he possibly have that would give him the unmitigated gall to lecture others about George Bush, Obama, Romney or the political process.

I wanted to go “Chuck Norris” on him and give him a piece of my mind… but I didn’t.  

As a matter of fact, the only comments I have made in previous months leading up to the election at all were to make sure you voted and that I thought the Libya fiasco, where the American Ambassador was murdered, was a disgrace to this country.  I still feel this way and I hope those who handled it so poorly will be held accountable.

I have held my tongue… I am glad I did.

However, it makes me wonder whatever happened to common sense among those in politics and those who make it their business to opine about politics and politicians.  The incredibly ill-received and offensive comments about rape and abortion that were flung from politicians during this election cycle are among the most horrendous assertions I have ever heard.

Additionally, the misspeak and gaffes by Vice President Joe Biden during the national campaign of 2012 will likely find its own embarrassing chapter in future history books.

Shame on each and every one of us who have been unable to control their verbal outbursts, as well as their written feelings during this campaign season.  That goes for EVERYONE…Christian’s included. 

Our Facebook and Twitter accounts do not give us free rein to say whatever we want without ramifications.  There is a price to be paid and each one of us are going to have to give account to God for our actions.  I found it enlightening that after an hour or so of just berating and tearing down Obama or Romney supporters (depending on your position) some of these same people were trying to post comments about how God is in control and posting “can’t we all just get along” posts. 

I wanted to desperately scream for everybody to just take a deep breath and play nice.  I wanted to tell them to take time to censor yourself… learn some self-control in how you respond.  Others read and do judge you by the comments that you put out there on Facebook and Twitter… you can’t take them back.  Once posted it is out there for people to read what is truly going on in your head and in your heart.  What I saw last night and today is hate… and you can’t cover that up by posting a “spiritual” comment a few minutes later.  They do not offset each other equally.

Being incredibly insensitive and unnecessarily offensive in your comments sets a bad example for all.  It ruins friendships and it divides families.  I have had to make the sad choice today to delete some people off my friends list because of their comments over the past few days.  These include people who I am sure are embarrassed at what they posted in the heat of the moment.  However, for me, I saw really what was in the hearts of some of my friends last night and it scared me.  I do understand that mistakes happen,  I have made my fair share and I know that I am not perfect but I have to take a stand somewhere.

Furthermore, the entire world is watching those who claim Christ as Savior and many people are embarrassing themselves and their testimony for Christ.  I hope they learn to express their strong, differing views in a way that shows the world that as believer’s  – with their right to free speech – can express their political differences respectfully no matter which side they are on.

But as I endure those that are celebrating and spiking the football in wake of their victory last night or those that are in the depths of despair because of the loss of what they surly felt was sure victory.  I am keenly reminded that for those whose candidate won last night… do not automatically assume your joy is equal to God’s approval.  There is a difference between God’s approval and what He will allow to happen.  We need to measure politics and policies by God’s unchanging character and revealed truth.  For those who feel the sting of the loss and wonder where we are headed as a country, I don’t know where all of could lead.  It will keep me up some nights I am sure but remember not all is lost.

Fear is natural.   We ask ourselves what’s next?   What will happen to us?  What are we supposed to do in times like these?  How did God allow this to happen?  It is during times like these when we have no real understanding as to the “why” and all we really want is answers.

Questions arise when fearsome things happen.

Now I don’t know the answers why things like this happen.  I know that they have been going on since the beginning of time.  Throughout the ages God has allowed these type of things to happen.  It is not for me to question.

I think that during these times we have to remain confident that God is indeed in control and understand the He has a plan.

This morning, as I read in Isaiah, I came to a statement repeated twice with two different reasons for the instruction.   In Scripture, it always catches my attention when something is repeated.   Here are the words from God spoken through Isaiah,

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine!” And then again the prophet declares, “Do not fear, for I am with you.”

The chapter continues with amazing and encouraging words for Israel and for us.  The chapter is Isaiah 43  if you want to read it for yourself, but these two invitations caught my attention because of the opening words, “do not fear…”

In this short passage God gives two reasons not to fear:

1.  I have redeemed you.

2.  I am with you.

In these two statements are the reasons we don’t need to fear.   God’s redemption and God’s presence are the reasons we need to trust God and  understand that He is control.   In the midst of difficult days, the reassurance of God’s redemption for the future and His presence in our lives will sustain us during the trials at hand.   Do not fear because our today’s and tomorrow’s are all taken care of.   God is with us and is leading us into the days ahead holding our hand as we walk each step.

The Bible is clear about what is going to happen in the end times.  I am not one to make predictions.  There are those who are predicting the end of times and say that they know the exact date upon which Jesus Christ will return.   However, I will not go there, mainly because I believe that Jesus Christ could come back at any time…maybe even today.

The question is are you ready?

I think these ripples of chaos are only the first glimpses of what is to come.   When you see all that is coming don’t fear or panic….instead look up.  

The Lord’s coming is closer than it has ever been.

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