This morning, I read this passage from 1 Cor 6:7b… “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” The context talks about disputes and division between brothers/sisters. I thought, well, easy for you to say, Paul!
Anyway, I digress. I can’t help but be moved by the reaction I’ve seen and heard after the tragic events of late. I believe in discourse, but man, this is just straight up ugly! Listen, I’m not much politically-inclined. I make art and music. That’s it! I don’t pretend to fully understand the ideology behind either side of the aisle.
But here’s what’s stark in my mind: Righteousness and evil are obvious. And I have yet to see good fruit grow. Anywhere! Look, when we’re for one, we’re against the other. It only makes sense, right? We love one, we hate another. We’re right, they’re wrong. We see our own needs and cries but we’re oblivious to that of those we oppose. After all, why should we care? So, there’s no sense of humility. No unity. No forgiveness or understanding. Hence, no peace.
Plenty of blame to go around though.
Political convictions, it seems, can become a form of weapon. A means to hurt. At times, without even knowing it. It could be as subtle as a voice. Could be a given right, a privilege. Or it could be worse, as we all have witnessed lately! This weapon, some people conceal it, some brandish it, and some even flat out wield it. Nevertheless, that weapon can easily become our way, our truth, and our life. Our Constitution even. Constantly on the battlefield fighting an unwinnable war. Unaware that love has already won it for us all.
So, you know what I think? I think it’s a trap!