Everybody has an opinion. And nowadays, everybody speaks their opinions. I however, do not. I do not post about my political views. I will not bring up the election in casual conversation. And I will not tell you how I feel about same sex marriage. Why? Because I do not have an extreme point of view. If you were to ask me about any hot topic, I would tell you how I feel, but I am not going to tell you that you should think what I think. I am not extremely passionate about most of these topics that fill my news-feed.
I am Christian, which I will always be passionate about. That is what I have allowed to define me. Not my opinions, not my political views, but my faith.
As Christians, we are given this specific set of stereotypes. And while yes, these stereotypes hold to be true for some Christians, the vast majority of us are not extremists. We do not believe that everyone should believe exactly what we believe and we know that will not see eye to eye with everyone.
Something that, as a Christian, I am extremely passionate about is people. Not just people that attend my -primarily secular- church. Not just the people that I serve once a year on missions trips. And no, not just the starving children that I send money to on a monthly basis, but everyone. Just as Matthew 22:39 says, "You must love your neighbor as yourself." As I take this verse to heart and look at what is going on in our country, my heart is broken.
As a Christian, I will always say that black lives matter. I will also say that cops lives matter. As well as Hispanics, Native Americans, Caucasians, and everyone in between. These hard issues that we see and hear about everyday are real, but I feel that Christians aren't sure what to do about them. So what is the right answer? If I knew, I would tell you. But I can promise you that if we live by the Bible and specifically Matthew 22:39, we will be headed in the right direction.
So Christians, protest if you feel like you should protest, but do it with love for everyone involved. And share that video on Facebook, but there is no reason to demean anyone else. Why pick sides when we can one brings the other down?
Some people may read this and say that it is easy for me to say this. I'm a white, middle class, Midwesterner that has never truly had to deal with any of the problems that are going on in our country. Problems that others deal with everyday. And with that, they are right. I have not. I have lived a comfortable life. I cannot fathom the fear that many of my friends and neighbors have to live with everyday. But I can show those around me compassion. I can be uplifting. I can love fervently. And pray for the love of others.
