I have watched in quiet contemplation at the aftershocks of tragedy in South Carolina, and although some of it has been inspiring, other things have been disappointing even to the point of absurdity. One such argument that has spurred in the aftermath of a massacre was the recent issue with the confederate flag favored by a murderer. You all know the story. And while I don’t agree that a flag is responsible or even motivational in the murder of nine innocent lives, I have been honestly flabbergasted by the uproar it’s caused as of late.
I’m not really talking about a flag, per se, or even what this symbol means or doesn’t mean. What’s really surprised me the most has been the appalling reaction of this debate. It’s not only disappointing, it’s despicable.
So I’ve watched my social media newsfeed explode with collective reaction, and I’ve noticed far too many people who claim to be Christians speaking in a rather un-Christ-like manner. I’ve seen some of the most rambling, raging, unnecessary arguments come from a discussion to retire a flag, and I’m saddened to say that after the monster Dylann Roof was arrested other monsters have taken his place in the form of hateful, vehement social display.
Apparently kind, Christian folks are saying some pretty awful things, and in their passion and indignation it’s turned really ugly. The list of people with which I’d choose to be stuck on a desert island is quickly dwindling as true characters are coming to light when angers flare, and the church-going Southerners are appearing to be the ones who would stab me for the last piece of bread.
My observations sound pretty harsh, I’m aware, but rather than judging the heated opinions of others, I’m simply asking as a sister in Christ if you bother to run your strong words and views through a filter of love before you throw them haphazardly for all to see? It’s no wonder the rest of the country laughs at us. Christians who aren’t acting very loving? Hogwash.
There’s not a thing wrong with standing up for truth and goodness, just as there’s nothing wrong with treasuring your heritage or respecting history. But when do we need to ask ourselves exactly what it is we’re fighting for, and if the wounded will be worth the battle?
Here’s what I mean. I’ve noticed many good, Christian friends remaining silent on the matter much as I have been doing, but I did have one gentleman have the courage to speak something that rang very truthful to my spirit.
He said, “If we can’t be strong enough to retire a piece of history that others find offensive, then we’re a weaker people than we think. Strength is shown through compassion for our neighbor. It is highlighted when we do not insist on having our own way. If we truly love our neighbor as ourselves, then we don’t lay down a stumbling block for them to trip on.”
I’ll add to his statement and make my own. Jesus was mocked, beaten, laughed at, and called a liar even though He was truly the Son of God. In His suffering and unjust treatment He still chose to die for mankind. Yet we can’t even lay down a piece of cloth in the name of peace and healing for a Nation. What does that say?
I love my state of Mississippi, and I love our strong values and heritage. I sometimes think this world has gone and gotten over-offended happy on everything. But I also am a sensitive enough soul to try and understand the opinions of others, evaluate if my actions are offensive, and let go of what’s not that huge of a thing in the big picture scheme of it all.
Sometimes conceding doesn’t mean you’re saying that you are wrong. It doesn’t even mean you’re saying someone else is right. It means you stand up as the bigger person for the greater good of all. It means you stand strong for something after all; it just happens to be that you’re standing strong for unity and healing of a country. Sometimes to stand strong means to lay it all down. Just ask a soldier.
I’ll tell you what it shouldn’t entail. It shouldn’t mean digging your heels in stubbornly simply to make a point. It doesn’t mean hurling insult at those who disagree with you. It doesn’t mean causing continued and further division when your actions are perceived in a negative light. And it certainly doesn’t mean becoming so fixated on minuscule arguments in the grand scheme of life that you become blinded to the real problems this country faces. Don’t you know the devil is in the business of deception and distraction?
Sometimes I’m honestly amazed that we as a people have come so far when we are so easily led away from the important things God wants to show us. Imagine what we could accomplish if we set aside petty differences and instead focused our eyes on the big picture.
It comes down to a little thing called love. It’s even better than the Hokey Pokey because love is what it’s truly all about. Without it we are nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
This is something I need to work on, it’s something our country needs to work on, it’s something we all could do better at. What we can’t do is this. We can’t allow the words of passion that we speak to become tainted by things that contradict love, and to become ugly. And when a situation personally offends and angers us the best response is to pray and ask God, “how shall I proceed to honor you and speak your truth into this problem?”
Yes, let’s try that.
I love what is brought to light here. That being said there is a part of me that is sad about the confederate flag being taken down. I mean it was fine until a hate filled monster attacked fellow christians happened to use the confederate flag as a symbol of hate. For me I see it as a symbol of men fighting for a cause they believed in. No I don’t mean slavery. Do I thank it should the flag should be flown over federal buildings? No. I am sad or maybe fearful that it won’t just be the flag next it will be civil war memorials. While we are at it let us take down the gay pride flags too ; some are flown over federal building too.
Thank you for commenting Casey. I know exactly where you’re coming from.
I too have chosen to stay quiet on this matter. We are all entitled to our own opinion. However the points you made Brie were what I was thinking just didn’t know how to word….I’m no perfect Christian but I do try to do what’s right and one of those being loving all I come in contact with….
Thank you for commenting. None of us are perfect; there’s no such thing. But loving folks is heading in the right direction!
I respect your words. I know you know how I feel in this matter and I ha e made it clear why. I have not been mean or unkind. We all ha e our views….this is not about a flag…….I have made it clear. I will always be your friend even if we do not agree…you have your views and I have mine and yes we need to remain kind and Christ like. To me getting rid of a flag because of it used for bad is like getting rid of stars and.stripes because it flew over slave ships….or the cross because it was used in Salem witch trials…
You are an excellent writer and you make good points.never fear I will not get.mad and delete you..I ask that you not get mad at me for our different views.
Never my dear. Thank you.
It is not just about the flag but states’ rights which today has catapulted into same sex marriage. Our rights are being taken away. Sadly, the Christian flag will be next. We will be imprisoned now for standing up for our Christ and His Word. On my news feed, my friends are not angry over the flag but this and they were right. Churches will have to draft by laws stating their stance on God’s Word. They are trying to force their sin on us and I personally won’t stand for it. I will be loving and firm but I WILL STAND for God’s promises. I LOVE HIM AND MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! I am grieved over what has happened to our country who no longer wants the ONE who died for them to be the center of their lives. I don’t want anyone to go to hell but I want to protect my children from Satan.
Very good comment. Thank you.
I agree with all you have said and with the replies. I do not live in the South, but truly, it is a flag, it just represents a period of time when our country was divided. Period. I have turned the tv off the usual stations I watch for news because we give too much air time to the Devil in those folks who love to be negative. I am sorry we have something else to haggle over when there is so much more that is important here. Mental illness is this country is rampant, yet we don’t focus on a solution, we just talk it to death. May God have mercy on us as Christians if we can’t see that we can make a difference every day by encouraging our family members to seek help and support them in that effort. This young man is extremely sick, we need to pray for him!
Agreed. Thank you for commenting.
I don’t think the Confederate flag has a place above any government building. As a part of history, it should be preserved in a museum. I know people who identify with this banner have their reasons, but when it’s emblazoned across the back glass of pickup trucks, tshirts, or prom dresses, the symbol is speaking for itself and it’s message is being filtered by the individual biases of all who see it. Someone’s proud heritage screams hatred to others, and I cannot see the value of displaying the flag as greater than the pain it causes. However, whitewashing the past by trying to do away with media that accurately portrays this time in our history is also wrong. We’ve got to be able to discuss these issues without viciousness. Much of how a message is received is in it’s delivery, and prayerful consideration and thoughtfulness about what and how we speak can bring us together, even when we disagree.
Agreed. Thank you for the great comment.
I think it would be a lot easier to give up a flag if people believed it would satisfy the squeaky wheels who are so hysterical over it. But those squeaky wheels are already talking about taking down statues and monuments next. Where does it end?
Even Jesus reached his limit. I remind you of Matthew 21:12 and how he handled the money changers in the synagogue. In the Book of John it said he even used a whip.
So let’s not assume that to be Christ-like we have to keep turning the other cheek. We should however always show grace as grace has been shown to us. God Bless.
Thank you.
While I enjoyed your thoughtful article, I do not agree that I have to give up something that means something to me when I have done nothing wrong to anyone just because someone else has hate in their heart. ALL of the hate I have seen since this made-up controversy erupted has come exclusively from the anti-flag side; calling and labeling innocent, good,decent people bigots and racists because of ignorance. I don’t have anything against them; so why can they not give up THEIR hate? Did not Jesus say in Matthew 5:22 – “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:” and did He not also say in Matthew 7:3 – “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Your article, like so many others, seems to demand concessions from those who’ve done nothing to appease someone’s imagined sleight over nothing for absolutely nothing in return. Many of them- while calling themselves Christian- have given offense by viciously attacking brothers and sisters in Christ without legitimate cause. Yet you do not seem to advocate THEM giving up the issue. I’ve given offense to no one who did not DECIDE to be offended by my flag. On a side note, I think all of us need to be VERY careful quoting Christ in defense of EITHER side in this debate; I was not completely comfortable doing so just now. Christ did NOT get involved in the politics of His day; the anger over Caesar’s image on a coin was not an issue to Him. Even then, the “controversy” over the coin was a trap His enemies tried to catch Him in, an endeavor in which they failed. Our faith has nothing to do with this issue, it is a trap we as Christians should avoid,because all it is serving is to divide us as one body in Christ.
Thank you for your well-thought comment. I wrote an article with my opinion of a situation. That’s what a blog is. I always share my opinion after prayerful consideration, but I do appreciate your concern. My idea wasn’t one of “well, I’m not gonna back down since the other guy isn’t.” That kind of sounds like my children bickering and saying the other one started it. Instead of expecting someone else to act in a Christ-like manner first I wish to take the initiative in my own life. To be a bigger person and do what leads to peace for Christ’s sake.
I think being the bigger person means just forgiving, letting go and moving on. Respectfully though, if you had no real feelings regarding the flag in the first place, then saying you’d give it up to keep the peace really costs you nothing. To me this has noting to do with being a Christian; this is about the kind of country I want to live in, and I have no desire to live in an Orwellian nightmare where people are viciously attacked only because of their fondness for a symbol. For me, this is about a proper, logical sense of proportion; if we give in on this it will just be the beginning. Again, this isn’t just about a flag, it’s about something much bigger. This nonsense has to stop somewhere, and I- like many of my fellow Americans- has had enough. Thanks for hearing me out.
No problem whatsoever. Thank you for commenting. You have very valid concerns that I too feel.