I’m trying to write this week’s post ahead of time, at least mostly anyway. My recent annual June 25 tradition involves a pedicure and checking out from the world a bit. “Me time” has felt in short supply thus far during this year’s pandemic.
But didn’t everything slow down with the stay at home orders?
Eh, not so much in my world.
Everyone’s experience is different.
And isn’t that the truth … everyone’s experience is different. Cancel culture has put generalizing on a steady diet of steroids and raised it into a new art form. I just read an article (shared by a friend) that laments modern society’s inability to understand points of view different from our own.
“We don’t understand debate, or its cousin compromise, anymore. There is no longer any tolerance for others’ views because the current fascism of the left does not see opinions as such; they are not acquired thoughts so much as they are innate to who we are, the inside and the outside fixed by color and class.” ~Peter Van Buren
(The left doesn’t have a monopoly on this phenomenon, although it does seem more prevalent in that segment of the culture. Maybe it’s just a matter of who’s loudest at the moment.)
People are canceling longtime friends and members of their own families. This morning a friend texted to let me know they deactivated their social media account. The straw that broke the camel’s back was racist remarks made by a relative. Don’t get me wrong, stepping away from social media is healthy. I personally use the snooze and unfollow features as needed to maintain my sanity and to maintain relationships with people I know in real life. I’ve seen a ton of super hateful comments on social media. About the race debate. About every other hotbed issue that’s out there.
The fake news (as in individual news stories) has gotten so bad lately I can’t even. Everyone please remember at least to attempt a fact check before getting on your social media soapbox.
Everyone please remember it’s more important to be loving than right. Yes, we’re supposed to confront our Christian brothers and sisters caught in sin after we remove the planks from our own eyes, blah blah blah.
After plank removal. Everyone please consider whether the timing of your remarks (comments, posts, etc.) is a good idea.
I can’t help but think of the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector.
Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer[a]: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” ~Luke 18:9-14 (NLT)
In light of the current age of moral relativism, I wonder if Jesus was condemning the attitudes of only those in an official leadership position. Those with an important title. Those we think of traditionally as the ones in power.
What if he was condemning the haughty attitude of anyone who would say (or think), “At least I’m not like those people.”
Who or what have you said “at least I’m not like” about lately? Come on, be honest with yourself.
Hmmm.
Interesting views on the race debate from the interwebs this week …
Scott Adams, who describes himself as “left of Bernie”, shared some thoughtful words that might surprise you in one of his daily videos.
The conservative Red Pilled America podcast shared a two-part episode detailing the personal story of one of the cohosts and their family. Listen to Part 1 here. Listen to Part 2 here. (Includes adult themes.)
The Ragamuffin Preacher podcast shared the personal story of a pastor’s experiences with racism both inside and outside the white evangelical church. (Language warning.)
Related to the race debate, here’s a seven minute video response to the “defund the police” effort. (Choose your words carefully, friends. Did you really mean defund the police … or is that a handy-but-pretty-hateful-toward-good-cops catchphrase for what improvements you think should be made?)
New music …
Mitch McVicker has resumed the weekly livestream concerts on his Facebook page. Next one is Tuesday, June 30, at 8pm eastern.
The Hedgerow Folk are releasing a new single. Here’s a video version. It’s folksy Jesus music. Or Jesus-y folk music.
In the category of new-ish, but brought to mind by this week’s topic, enjoy this one from Meek Squad.
Peace out, girl scouts.
