Today, I have two things on my heart that don’t necessarily go together beyond the fact that they have both been laid on my heart this week.
The first may not seem big to you, but it is something that has overwhelmed me. Before I say anything, I realize that I have not posted anything on the Israel/Palestine conflict on social media. I have, however, been praying for peace and over those that are living in destruction and war. I only know enough about this conflict to make myself dangerous, but it has been something that I carry on my heart. I don’t say this to make an excuse for this blog, but just so that there is a clear understanding and so that others realize I understand they may be in the same boat.
The issue facing Israel and Palestine is a conflict I don’t feel like we can ignore. Politically, or as the body of Christ. I can’t propose a solution, and I have no plan, but I do desire to see some form of peace. I desire for people to be safe, for concerns to be heard, and I prefer actions that favor human decency. Honestly, I think both sides are at fault, and I just want people to live; I want their homes to not be destroyed, and I want them to have a quality life. Meanwhile, I think we need to find ways to send aid to those impacted, and to be mindful when we approach the throne of the creator through prayer and fasting.
This week, I was hoping to see others that felt the same way, however, I have instead been overwhelmed by the amount of times Matt Walsh’s salty blog on 50 Shades of Grey has been posted and reposted by several of my Christian friends. All the while, the majority of my friends outside the formal church have been posting about Israel and Palestine.
Sorry, but I’m a little thrown off by that. Don’t get me wrong, I finally made myself read Mr. Walsh’s blog, and I thought his snark was entertaining and that he made valid points, but the content of the blog isn’t what I’m talking about. What I’m saying is, with the same energy, we could be trying to focus on praying for other’s livelihoods instead of being social media obsessed with some writer’s comments on a book/soon-to-be movie. Don’t worry, friends. I’m over here in the land of 50 Shades of I DON’T CARE so I’m not going to read the book or see the movie… C’est la vie. I get that the rant was against our messed-up culture, but doesn’t it say more about Christian culture that we have focused more on that blog this week than the physical needs of others in this world?
I thought it was only my newsfeed, until I had an older friend say the same about his newsfeed.
Don’t be mistaken, I get that I am sitting here writing a blog on it all. I see that. All I am asking is that we give these issues equal time. Passions run deep, convictions do too, I guess I just expected more out of the Christian community. Instead, I have heard/read little to nothing on the topic. You know, outside of old southerners telling me that it signifies the “end times”. Cool, you worry about that, and I’ll wait on Jesus and the chariot of fire to arrive.
Through all of this and my highs and lows with this topic, I have come to understand I need to be the change if I want to see change. Just because I didn’t re-post Mr. Walsh’s blog doesn’t mean I’m blameless. I just wish we, as a Christian community, cared a little more about Israel/Palestine/the Holy Land/the people in conflict, than about American media. That, or I wish we at least acknowledged that we are praying for those affected. I promise, in two years, the blog will still be there for you to repost, but those people? They may not still be alive. Their home, school, Temple, Mosque, or Church may be destroyed.
Think about it.
The other thing that has been laid on my heart are the unspoken things in the bible. How I wish that the editors/writers would have included a little more information on things like the disciples leaving everything to follow Christ.
You know, more than “they dropped their nets and followed him.” The book of John gives us a little more dialogue, but the more I prepare for the race, the more I am impressed by the way they sacrificed their ‘norm’ to follow Christ. What were their thoughts? Their fears? What did their family say? Did they ever feel crazy? I know what matters is their obedience to Christ, and that it is a testament that they so willingly went. But hot dang, couldn’t they have left a ‘How to’ guide? I know Paul basically gave one, but he wasn’t part of the original 12. I want a story from the boat, and I want to know the thoughts behind dropping that net and going.
Wow. What faith does that take, ya know?
I guess there are things to be said about the things unseen, the unwritten, the unsaid; The things we keep to ourselves when maybe they should be shared with one another. Maybe I am just learning the power behind the things that didn’t make it out of someone’s thoughts, or weren’t considered “important” enough to write down.
I think I am learning about community, and the value of sharing our thoughts and the things that conflict our hearts so that maybe, just maybe, someone else will have the courage to say “Hey! Me too! I thought I was the only one!” Perhaps, with this we can continue fighting injustices in this world and calling attention to issues that we see in our communities, states, nations, and in this world.
For many of you, I completely get, understand, and respect that for you, the social craze around 50 Shades of Grey is what burdens your heart.
However, for me, I see a problem with not talking about the issues surrounding Israel, Palestine, and the other horrors that are happening in the world. The heartbreak families are feeling knowing that innocent people were gunned down on a commercial aircraft, the confusion of children trying to understand why they can’t go home tonight, the fear of mothers wondering if their son’s unit will be shot down; my heart goes to those trying to understand the rage and the hurt that surround these actions.
I know that several things have been, and will continue to go wrong in this world. I understand and acknowledge that these aren’t isolated events.
Nevertheless, tonight, I am praying for peace in all of these situations. I am praying for eyes that are opened, ears that are ready to listen, hearts that are ready to move forward with change. I pray for wisdom, and I pray for discernment. All of these things for our world leaders, no matter what their political affiliation. I pray that we can ignore ourselves just long enough to lend a helpful hand, and I hope that you, my friends, can understand that this isn’t meant to be a political post, but rather something that simply raises awareness and redirects some of our attention towards prayer. My hope that this will be a blog that reminds you to get off Facebook and read the news outside of the ‘trending articles’ tab. Not just one news source, but several.
People are hurting, and we have been called, as the body, to serve them. However you can, in whatever capacity you can.
Please, join me in prayer for our world. For the war, for the fighting, for the media that is nuts, for the things that we all obsess over. Please join me in praying for those lost, in need of finding a way, and for those that are being fed lies.
I pray that peace would be near, no matter what monster we are facing. I pray for solutions to the problems facing our society, our cultures, and this world.
I pray that we would remember that Jesus will win, and that he loves each and every one of these souls.
No exceptions.
Thanks for reading my post, and for bearing with my rant.
Peace be with you.
