Words. Articles. Posts. Literature.
We live in a world of words. We speak words, we read words, we share words, we write words.
But what happens when words aren't enough?
I'd say we are at that stage in the here and now.
I don't know about you, but I'm so tired of scrolling through social media only to see every screaming opinion of everyone I am friends with whether their ideas align with my own or not.
Who are we to state our opinions with no actions behind them?
Try to imagine a world without social media. If someone wanted to show they cared to support a cause or to protest against something, they would get up and go out to show the physical proof of their stance. They didn't sit in the comfort of their home behind a screen ranting about the rights and wrongs of the world.
Those people are a vital part of American History. The Washington's, the Lincoln's, the Martin Luther King's, they did what was in their power to lead others to change history.
They didn't sit around arguing with other people about their stance. They fought, they protested, they lead groups of people to do the unthinkable and changed the face of our country in the process.
So why are we questioning why things aren't changing?
Why are we surprised about what is happening in our country?
Seldom do we fight for what's right from anywhere but behind the screen.
If we are going to argue and protest, it should be because we are doing everything we can to change something.
We can be grieved by what is going on in our country. We can disagree. It's just not okay when we flood the Internet with empty words and screaming opinions.
Yes, sometimes writing and literature have changed the views of society, but do we really think our one post will? Maybe social media isn't helping. Maybe it's hurting. Easily posted, easily offended: that is our world's motto nowadays.
One post may not make the difference, but love will. Love will be the difference between words and change. It's the very foundation of every relationship, but you can't just say you love someone. It is an action, it is a lifestyle.
So what's so different about how we should treat society? No, you won't agree with everyone, but that didn't stop Christ from loving those around him. He knew their sin, but he didn't just sit and condemn them for their sins and tell them how their life was so wrong, he LOVED them. They trusted him because his love was evident so he was able to speak truth into their lives.
Here's some lyrics I thought were very fitting for this article from Jonny Diaz's song, "Starts With Love":
"If you're gonna preach
It's got to be more
Than what you say
Something you can see
It's got to be living
Gotta be breathing
'Cause if you want to reach
If you really wanna
Be the change
Nothing's gonna speak
Nothing's gonna be as big
As a little when you just obey
It starts with love
Living with an open hand
It starts with love
Giving when you think you can't
It looks like faith
Moves like grace
And it all begins above
It starts with love"
Actions come before words. Love others. Don't think sitting behind the screen will change anything. Act upon your love for others and change will follow.