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I woke up this morning going about a normal routine. Quiet time, a walk, and sitting with a protein shake while catching up with the world on social media.
Imagine my “surprise” one of the first posts I read is someone offended by someone else’s post – so offended a heated written battle ensued. A battle amongst strangers sitting behind screens spewing hateful and hurtful insults.
And you know what was decided?
Nothing.
Know what was resolved?
Nothing.
Yet I’m almost certain there were some angry people stepping away from those screens and entering their day ready to unleash some outrage on unsuspecting commuters, co-workers and friends.
My heart grieves over the outrage growing in our world. Are you witnessing an outrage addiction growing before our eyes?
I recently read Ed Stetzer’s new book Christians in the Age of Outrage. He does a remarkable job delving deep into the topic of outrage in our society – dissecting the whys behind the behaviors and lies we are falling victim to while offering alternatives to the outraged behaviors.
A key issue he mentions is our motivation to consistently talk (or type) past one another. We have lost the art of listening (or maybe we never had it). Stetzer encourages a disciplining of our minds for critical thinking, but again, listening to one another is imperative.
Imagine truly listening to the person disagreeing with us instead of loading our ammunition to fire back a witty response.
Stetzer writes, “Outrage is motivated by a desire to punish or destroy rather than reconcile and refine… and is fast and decisive rather than reflective.” His book is an excellent resource – rooted in scripture – on how to live in this culture of outrage and especially the culture of outrage online.
I’ve noticed my news feed tends to follow others with similar beliefs and thoughts to my own. Why is that? I’m praying through my reasoning for this. Mainly it is because of Philippians 4:8.
“…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Reading posts and ideas contrary to my way of thinking and challenging my beliefs causes me – well – to think.
But my breaking and grieving heart is willing to listen.
Because I love Jesus.
And Jesus listens.
If this outrages you, please don’t stop reading!
I came across a verse in scripture recently that I’m pondering. In Matthew 11:6, Jesus is speaking to John the Baptizer’s disciples. John has sent a question from his prison cell, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else, (Matt. 11:3)? When Jesus responds, He says, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news, and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”
Offended by Jesus. Offended to the point of outrage.
Why were people offended? What caused them (and us) to stumble over Jesus?
Jesus doesn’t respond -Yes, I am the One. Instead He lists His actions. The struggle for many is over these actions. His miracles, sacrificial death, shedding of blood for cleansing of sin, virgin birth, demand for self-denial – just to name a few. If the people that actually had the opportunity to walk and see Jesus in the flesh performing these miracles struggled with believing, is it any wonder there is struggle today?
Which makes me wonder – what Jesus do you know?
Many people only see Jesus through the actions and words of Christians.
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I cannot speak for all people that love Jesus, but I can certainly speak for myself.
If the only Jesus you see is the one I display, you are not getting the whole picture.
I am a work in progress. This is not an excuse for bad behavior, hurtful words, or worldly traits I exhibit – it’s just the truth.
When I first accepted Jesus, I began a new life. I became a baby so to speak all over again. Babies cannot eat solid food, walk, talk, or communicate fully.
Same for the Christian life. Just because we make the decision to live life with Jesus doesn’t mean we instantly become perfect, in fact, we will never reach perfection here. Our growth is a process and everyone that loves Jesus is at a different place in this growth process.
Just like babies.
They all learn to walk, talk and interact at different times.
Christians too.
Yet I fear there is a perception that because we love Jesus, we should immediately attain a spiritual maturity.
We don’t.
We are learning to behave more like Jesus (it’s a fancy word called sanctification) and it is a daily growth process lasting a lifetime. Growing up requires do- overs, discipline and teaching.
And grace.
So if one of the things causing you outrage in our culture today is Jesus, please consider the source of your outrage.
Have you looked to Jesus yourself – learning about Him from Him? He is an excellent teacher. The best actually.
The book of John in the Bible is a great place to begin getting to know Jesus.
If you are a Christian outraged in our world today, how are you responding in your outrage? Does it imitate Jesus?
What if we could all decide today to listen – really listen – to one another? What if we stop assuming everyone begins with the same foundation of beliefs we personally possess? What if we quit expecting others to respond in the way we think they ought to respond?
What if…
immediately more:
Read Proverbs 9. List the characteristics of wisdom and folly. Where do you see wisdom in your life? Folly?
Read the following scriptures noting everything said about leaven and unleavened bread.
Exodus 12:15 – 19
Exodus 13:7
Exodus 34:25
Deuteronomy 16:3
Numbers 9:11
Matthew 13:33
Mark 8: 14 – 21
Galatians 5: 1-12 (specifically v. 9)
What do you learn from these scriptures? How can you apply what you learned in your life?