Shalom Existence

I hope that we can find it in our way to not just notice things but find out more, join in communal prayer, and continue to seek to make real and active differences anywhere we can. I feel torn about what is happening in Iran. As a human I know how it feels when your voice is not heard. But in a battle that does not include “right” and “wrong” it is hard to watch Americans choose a side when most Americans don’t even know what each side stands for. It’s hip to be active and it’s definitely the trend to look like we care, but why? Is it because we uphold democracy as the highest right that any individual government can give? I know that it can be boiled down to a basic human rights issue, but then you have to take the situation out of the microscope and look at acts of violence committed from both sides. The scales are certainly tipping in one direction this week, but as we saw in WWII, people follow leaders regardless of their morals.  It’s disconcerting to see how powerful the media is. Did you know that our parents are now only our biggest influencers from age 1 to 3? And then for almost our entire lives after school the media becomes numero uno.

Many Americans paid little attention to Iran when the Shah was in power, including presidential blatant ignorance of the  treatment he was giving his people. Sure we noticed later, but only when American lives were put at risk. Now we have the internet and an ever-increasing global market to pique our interests and keep us more tuned in to the world. But is it doing us any good? Are we keeping ourselves placated, feeling good about ourselves about making some noise, or are we really trying to change the world? I am not saying to stop our offered support to the Iranian people, but I am saying to know that you are supporting the people, all the people, for a better life, for the best possible outcome, not a political party or a side. Voices need to be heard, but in some instances the superpowers and the regimes of this world have made it an issue that can’t be forced on a timetable.

I feel the same question paralleled in my view of the church. Are we really trying to understand Jesus better and love everyone unconditionally, or we just taking the steps to make ourselves feel like we are doing something. Because overall, Americans still don’t really know much about Iran. And overall, the people of Christ that call themselves the church haven’t changed their face that much.

This may seem like a cynical approach but I am really not trying to be. I am including myself in this. And it is about taking an honest look in the mirror and checking our hearts and our motivation before we do and say anything. Because if our hearts aren’t in it, it is time to get with God. Because when they are and we are acting on His say so, not just to make some noise, that is when the real differences and changes will start coming.

Popularity: 1% [?]