What has happened in our society that it has become normal for someone to retrieve a gun and begin shooting people? No Bullying is never right, yet, the answer cannot be killing people. Yes, the Second Amendment gives us the right to bear arms but what of God’s second command: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39)? How ironic that both of these are the second of its kind. The Second Amendment versus the Second Commandment. Or is it purposeful? Was it God’s design that we would have to choose which is greater, love of weapons versus the love of each other?
The Word teaches us that love is kind, it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Yet, love has been forgotten by some. What happened just last week, the storming of the Capitol, had nothing to do with love. It wasn’t protecting the freedom of a few by endangering the lives of others. It wasn’t trusting in the system created by the people for the people. It wasn’t an act of hope but an act of vigilantes. This wasn’t an act of love. This was an act of force.
I sat and watched the destruction. I don’t mean the building but of the lives and trust of the people. I watched people whom others would categorize as loving terrorize the democracy that Americans hold sacred. I heard Kenny Smith, Inside the NBA Sports Commentator, speak on the disgrace. He eloquently stated: “....What this is really about...what were they angry about….They are angry because of the vote….So that’s important for us to understand….the vote is the most important which leads to what economics which then leads to systematic racism…..you have to go back to why they were mad….realize why they were angry and not the emotion of what happened…. now arm your kids with education, arm your kids with voting, arm your kids with group economics….remember why they were angry.”
His statement hit home for me and I encourage you to watch it in its entirety. The Vote, your voice. That’s what matters. You voted and there were some that hated that we the people spoke for the people. At the end of the day, we won’t always agree. But there is a Word that says, Come let us reason together (Isaiah 1:18). Let us sit down and talk this through. This is what Congress was attempting to do. My mind now wanders back to two movies I’ve watched in the last month - God’s Not Dead and God’s Not Dead 2. These movies had a central theme of a single person standing up among a group and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus. But, I submit to you to take the title of the movie and apply it to the actions last week. God allowed these riots to happen. He allowed them to storm the capitol. Some will ask why. Here is what I think (and you are open to refute it): He needed us to see the state of us as people. Not just the actions of the terrorists but the response of those in this nation, around the world. Our Living God is waiting for His people to stand in the midst of this foolishness and proclaim that He still sits on the throne. He is still in control.
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)
Be A Blessing and Not Just Blessed
- Nakya