Back in June, my husband encouraged me to take a 2-week social media break because I was so burdened by the things I was consistently reading. My anxiety was through the roof as I continuously felt as though I had an elephant sitting on my chest and that I had been kicked in the stomach. It’s common for me to carry other people’s burdens around even though that is not my job. I am so bothered by all that is going on around us, but not for the reason that you may think. I do not fear the election results or the direction our country is headed in because I know God is at the helm. I am not even fearful of the virus. I may get it. I may even die. But, that doesn’t bother me. I know Who holds my future and He has written every day He has for me in His book. Instead, I am grieved by the response of all humanity, especially the Church, to all that is going on. The racial division, the political disputes, the nasty comments and posts, the bickering back and forth, and the lack of compassion are disheartening.
4 weeks later, I am still on my 2-week social media break 😉 and I’m definitely feeling better. I’ve had to make a conscious effort to focus on God’s truth instead of the bitter vitriol that is being spewed among strangers, neighbors, friends, and even family.
It is vital, especially during these times in which we are living, for us to exhibit the very essence of who Jesus is. Truth has been so distorted that people no longer know which way is up. So many have lost their way and are consumed with self and what makes them feel good. Fear has gripped the hearts and minds of many throughout the entire world. The only answer to all of the turmoil going on around us is Jesus, so we must show them who He is by both our actions as well as our reactions.
As I was praying through all of this, I came across Colossians 3:12-14. These verses hold so much truth and I think we all need to dig deep into what they say. Let’s start with verse 12:
Put on then as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Let’s break this verse down. First, we are to put on compassion. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that compassion is the sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it. Wow! So, we aren’t supposed to just feel sympathy, but we are to have a desire to alleviate their distress. This makes me think of the racial division we are currently witnessing in our society. So, how can we show compassion? Perhaps with hearts to serve one another and by trying to understand one another. Let’s look for ways to alleviate the distress of our brothers and sisters (no matter the color of their skin) by serving them.
Next is kindness. Consider the kindness of Jesus. He touched the untouchable and healed the lepers. There was also the woman with an issue of blood who had a hemorrhage for 12 years and was legally deemed unclean. When she reached out just to touch the hem of His garment so that no one knew she was around, He not only healed her, but He stopped to acknowledge her. Jesus showed kindness to the unlovable. We are surrounded by many these days who feel unlovable, especially when they loudly voice their opinions that do not line up with ours. It’s easy to turn our backs and write them off because they are unreachable in our minds. But, perhaps showing kindness will soften their hearts. If they see anger from us instead of kindness, they will want no part of Jesus and all He has to offer.
Humility. I can think of no one as humble as Jesus. I cannot fathom being the creator of the universe, the savior of the world, and taking the form of a servant here on earth. Yet, He did. Just prior to His death, Jesus humbled Himself and washed the feet of His disciples. Their feet were no doubt caked in dirt and manure since roads were made of dirt and they wore sandals back in those times. What a symbol of love and humility! Even Judas who would betray Him, Peter who would deny Him not just once but 3 times, and Thomas who would doubt Him received this loving gesture.
And then there is meekness, which I believe is often misunderstood. This does not mean that we become timid doormats who let others walk all over us. The article “Who are the Meek? Why did Jesus say “Blessed are the Meek”? says this, “Meekness is not weakness. Sometimes we confuse the two. But the difference between a meek person and a weak person is this: a weak person can’t do anything. A meek person, on the other hand, can do something but chooses not to.” I love this so much! Jesus demonstrated this perfectly in Matthew 27:12-14 as He was brought before Pilate just hours before His crucifixion. “12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?’ 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.” If I am on social media or talking in person to someone that I do not agree with, I can show restraint. This doesn’t show weakness. It actually shows that I recognize that voicing my opinion can just cause more division. It’s ok if others don’t agree with me. I don’t have to always prove my point and I don’t need to defend my stand on the latest hot topic.
Lastly, we have patience. Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 that even though he was the “foremost” sinner, he was shown “perfect patience” by Jesus. Paul (formerly known as Saul before his conversion) was “ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3). Even with this extreme persecution of Christians, Jesus chose to convert Saul. He didn’t lose His patience or write him off. He didn’t punish him or strike him down permanently. Instead, He showed Saul great mercy and chose him to carry His name. Paul went on to write 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. Even those around us who are tearing down our faith and ridiculing us for our beliefs should be shown patience.
In my next post, we will move on to the next verse(s) in this passage. Until then, let’s really focus on striving to be like Jesus. When we see friends arguing over political matters or Christians vehemently disagreeing with each other, fight hard against participating in the division and instead show compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Showing these virtues may just be what pulls someone from the grip of fear that has them bound. Let’s show them the hope that can come from Jesus and Jesus alone. And whatever you do, Don’t Wait!
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