I debated about whether I would even write this post. The last thing you need in your news feed is another article about Jenner or Baltimore or marriage.
As the Supreme Court decision came down, or when Caitlyn Jenner was declared a hero, or when the citizens of Baltimore rallied in the streets, I kept hearing one constant thing from fellow Christians, my heart is broken because my children will have to grow up in a world like this.
My heart is broken too, friends.
Not because of marriage equality or any other hot topic issue in America right now.
My heart is broken because of the callous disregard for fellow human beings, the fact that I see a bible verse posted on social media, followed by disgust and hatred.
My heart is broken because my children will have to grow up in a world like this. Where fellow believers mistake Facebook ranting as carrying out the work of God. Where Christians rely on a Bible verse about judging to condemn others, to play judge and jury and publicly condem other human beings. To call them names like queers and thugs, and to publicly ridicule and totally alienate themselves from anything different.
If that is the conversation we are starting on social media, what does that conversation look like in our homes?
My heart is broken because it seems my children are growing up in a world where Christians feel it’s easier to shout hatred than to show love. Do you know what we should be teaching in our homes?
Every one gets love, because everyone needs love and everyone deserves love.
Every one gets love, it is truly that simple. Not just people who look and behave like we do, not just people we go to church with, not just people who believe and think like us.
Every one.
We love despite flaws and differences, we love despite sin, because Jesus loves us despite those things.
I think about this often. Before the gay marriage decision, before Ferguson and Baltimore, before Jenner and Confederate flags. I think about the sheer importance of the work we are here to carry out, the work that sets us apart from others. I’m afraid of raising my children in a world that loses sight of the example Jesus set for us when he walked on Earth.
Not just heart broken, truly terrified of what that means for my children.
Terrified that one day we may have a group of believers who stand before God with empty works and plenty of words. I imagine it won’t go over to well if we show up without any works but we say: Well, I did go on Facebook and rant about why Bruce Jenner was wrong. And I let everyone know that those thugs in Boston needed to get back home when they were rioting in the street. And let me tell you what else I did, I made sure the world knew that gay marriage is a sin.
Do you see how that sounds? Is that how we want to sound?
I shudder to think of all the good that could be taking place with the time and energy that so many are using on mindless rants and status updates on social media. There is so much for us to do, so many that we can touch and change, so much love to show.
My heart is broken today, because if I’m not careful my children will think their beliefs are enough to set them apart from the world, rather than their actions.
I will admit, I hesitated when I saw this post pop up in my reader. I have read so many posts from “Christians” about all of these topics, and my heart just couldn’t take another negative word. THANK YOU for posting this, and for standing up for LOVE. We don’t have to agree or like anything, we just have one job. Love.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for saying what many of us are thinking. Thank you.
So well said!
What an incredible take on the things that are taking place in our world today! I couldn’t agree with you more!
Couldn’t have said it better myself, friend. LOVE this post.
Amen. Amen. Amen. LOVE is what it’s all about. If only people could just love one another, or at the very least respect each others’ differences instead of spewing hate, this world would be a much better place. It really is that simple.
I don’t comment on blogs much – but I just wanted to tell you that reading this did my heart good. Thank you, Jennifer, for finding the words to say what A LOT of people are thinking!!!
I love, love, love this! I have been so disgusted with my Facebook feed lately. So much so, I’ve considered deleting my account. It’s just so hard to see this stuff scroll across my computer screen day in and day out. And I couldn’t agree more. As Christians, our actions should set the example. Not angry words behind a computer screen.
A verse that rings true in this situation is one my husband and I love to use with our nonprofit ministry and traveling to Rwanda and it’s 1 John 3:18 and it says ” Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Our saying is Love with your hands! Unfortunately, nothing but more hate is being spread around on social media.
What an honor it is to be your aunt. Love, love, love the way to put a very touchy subject.
I definitely agree that we as Christians should show our love towards all no matter what and that we should not judge. I think it is important to remember though, that also as Christians we cannot remain silent on the issue of gay marriage. We cannot be lukewarm. We need to have that balance between despising the sin in this world (all of it is the same in God’s eyes) and showing the love of Christ to all.
You took the words right out of my mouth! We are supposed to love all and care for all. But that does not mean we support the actions or sins. That is not showing hatred. (I actually have been seeing a lot of love shown through all this, at least on the social media posts I have read.) As Christians we can share and spread love but that does not mean we support the sin that is being committed. I think you are right about balance,, that is definitely something I have not seen on my social media.
Amen; very well said. Thank you!
What beautiful writing. Our niece posted this on facebook. For all of her 30 years she has had 2 Uncles. This has always been matter-of-fact to her. No explaining. No trying to rationalize. It just was. So the past few days have been hard on her. She’s Evangelical and has had a hard time putting her thoughts into words. Your post brought her great comfort.
On my blog there’s a brief story of her Uncle Stephen & Uncle Frank’s 30+ year relationship. It’s not proselytizing nor is it a diatribe. I know God loves us all.
I too was a little hesitant to click on your link…I’ve seen so many posts about this “terrible world.” I have an interesting point of view on social media…my husband was part of the team that created the rainbow filter on FB. And people are probably judging me right now because of it. But I’m so proud of him for helping to support love and positivity on social media. I think it’s hilarious that the old rule is not to discuss politics and religion, but on social media, it seems to be the only thing people want to discuss. I’ve spent most of the last 10 years in extremely liberal communities, and it has changed my view on many things, but I can say with certainty that hate and vitriol doesn’t get you anywhere. It only interferes with your message and puts up barriers. Thanks for a positive post about love!
Hi,
I’m an atheist and I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years. I’ll be honest, I squirmed for a second when I opened this post. I’m delighted at what you said. We are the sum total of our actions. You seem like a very kind and loving person, that’s what I’ve observed over the last couple of years, and I think that your children are very fortunate to have someone who demonstrates love. Everyone – whatever the faith and those who have none, like myself, deserves that and can demonstrate it – if we all did, this world would be so much better off than it is now – with intelligent people spouting hatred and fear. When Ghandi said “Be the change you want to see in the world,” (again, ‘do’, not ‘say’) he said a mouthful – because what else can we do but model the behavior that we hope is perpetuated?
Best,
Jen R.
Yes ma’am!!! Thank you for such a post. We aren’t on Facebook, but I have seen enough vitirol on IG and blogs in the last few weeks to last me a lifetime. Our pastor made the excellent point on Sunday that as Christians, it is NOT our job to judge anyone who does not confess to be a Christian. We are to love. That’s it.
My heart is also breaking that so many have used these moments to misrepresent Jesus or take God’s Word out of context. May He have mercy on all of us and give us the grace to raise our babies in this generation, in this time He has chosen for us to reside.
Beautifully written!
Thank you for this! Simple, beautiful, open-minded… and most importantly, open-hearted.
Thank you for taking the words out of my mouth and putting them in writing! It’s amazing how non Christian like some of the posts have been from people who call themselves the biggest Christians. While I absolutely respect the views of others, I am not and never will be okay with hate and derogatory terms for fellow human beings. In all the judgement, so many people are forgetting that there is only One who will be the ultimate Judge and it is not us earthly beings. My children will be taught that as humans we are all equal and to RESPECT one another regardless of personal views, religion, sex, race, ect. Love really does win!
I love you for this! Like others I clicked hoping not to see something negative in the name of Christianity. Just today I was reflecting on how many people have been calling homosexuality “one of the greatest sins” and I was thinking to myself, “Isn’t the whole message of the Bible to love? Then wouldn’t hating others actually be much worse?” I don’t have Facebook anymore – I gave it up over a year ago. And from what my husband says is filling his feed the past few weeks, I’m glad I don’t have it. It used to be a way for friends to connect and now it is a site for constant self-promotion of your own ideas as fact, a way to broadcast your thoughts( good or bad) 24/7 without the consequences of who you hurt or offend in the process.
Thank you for this post. I proudly call myself a Christian and I am ashamed to see all the hate spewed, especially with a Bible verse as justification.
I agree! There is so much we can do and so much we can change instead of posting rants. Love is definitely one thing I will teach my son along with the gospel and the truth of God’s word. I want him to know what a true disciple of Christ looks like despite what the world around him may look like.
I love your post for so many reasons. It hits on everything I have thought over the last week. It is only our job as Christians too love and we are ALL sinners. It is not my job to judge or spew hate. There are some things I may never understand but how freeing to know that God gave me the job to show love to everyone no matter what. It is truly easier than having hate and disgust in my heart! Bless you!
Very well said!
This was so well worded. It is scary to think that our children will be growing up in a world where they’re taught to disregard the feelings of others and instead focus on trying to win people over through arguments. Hopefully our children will remember that showing love to people is the best way to reach out to someone!
Yes. Yes. Yes, yes, yes! THIS is exactly what I’ve been feeling this week. I’ve found myself in tears many times thinking about the things going on in our country. Looking past the “issues” and the “agendas”, I see PEOPLE. Real people. People who matter! People I will choose to love! Thank you for sharing this!
Very well said! I didn’t read all the comments, but did read a few and like another I have been so disgusted with facebook lately that I too have thought of deleting my account. However I have seen the opposite types of comments, calling Christians bigots and racists and haters. I truly take offense to that and if you see the Christians posting the same kinds of condemnation then people are just being hateful to everyone! It is a scarey world these days. God bless you!
This was so well said! Thank you for such a beautiful post!