Choosing the Light

Only a week ago, I was shaking my head at my Facebook news feed. It was filled with petty posts about red cups and the loud, uninformed opinions about Mizzou's situation (uninformed on both sides). There was so much negativity and confrontation, it was difficult to not write about it as well, but I knew the last thing needed was another negative post. And then on Friday, disaster struck around the world and my selfish, petty American feed pulled their heads out of their butts to realize that while we had been arguing about cups, there were much more serious things going on in the world.

When disaster strikes, it is so easy to pick a scapegoat, to question God, to lash out at those around us. Without thinking western culture points a finger to Islam, we start to blame the thousands of refugees. We shake our fists at, demanding to know how God could allow something so horrible. Our government officials panic, feeling the demand of millions who need to know something is being done to prevent another attack.

As we pray for Beirut, Paris, Mexico, Japan, Bagdad, and others, we need to avoid blaming innocents for the works of a few. To blame Islam for what happened makes us no better than those who attacked this weekend. Islam is a vast group of people, from all over the world. Blaming a religion, which teaches non-violence, responsible for this is wrong. Islam does claim them, so why do group them all together? We don't blame other Baptist churches for Westboro, we don't blame the Pope for corrupt parishes, and we cannot blame Islam for this either. The last thing we need right now is more anger and violence.

How could God allow for this to happen? That time old tradition of free will is what allowed this to happen. God did not want these deaths around the world no more than God wanted Cain to kill Abel, but because God loves us enough to allow us to choose, this can happen. Our government officials are terrified, they carry burdens we do not; a responsibility to the millions of people in their countries. Pray for them, that they develop the plans necessary to protect without infringing on the rights of their citizens or harming far too many for the good of a few.

A few weeks ago, I put my foot in my mouth, trying to express that I understand why racial profiling happens, that I get why cops, airports, and other officials do what they do. I understand fear, and that it makes us do crazy things. I understand, but I do not agree. Maybe this is just me trying to rectify what I said, but hate is not the answer, nor is fear. That overdone, over-quoted chapter 13 of Corinthians reminds us that the greatest thing we have is love. Without love, none of this matters, and if the world is going to recover from this Friday, and other acts of aggression, we have to do so with love, not hate. There are so many places right now that are reeling from natural and man-made disasters, but this is not something that happens every now and again. The world is constantly hurting, and instead of helping, we would rather debate about those damn cups. We need to lovingly
open our eyes, and see the world for what it is, and what it could be. We have to not let our fear control us, we need to let our hope, our faith, and most importantly, our love be what guides us through our lives.

Be conscious of what you do and say, choose to love rather than to blame. We cannot create more darkness when all we want is a bright, loving world.

Tota tua,

LeAnn