Category: Current Events

Four Acts of Love

Heartshaped Hands by johan van den berg

With all that has happened in the last week from the tragic death of George Floyd to the protests and to the riots, I debated whether to postpone or rewrite this post.  But I believe that all that has happened has only confirmed the message of this post.  It is not only a toxic online environment (discussed in the following paragraph) but the toxicity flows through everyday life.  Though I am leaving the post as is, consider how in your life, in your conversations, and even in your thoughts to put into action the 4 acts of love listed below.  As the Apostle Paul wrote to the messed up church at Corinth, “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14), so we should strive to do that.  Then the healing can begin.

There is a toxic environment online. It seems to me, many people want to demonize the opposing view and those people with it.  This usually seems to happen in political social media posts.  Conversation, dialogue, and civility are missing.  It is very much a “us versus them” environment with the “I am right and you are so very wrong” as the prevailing attitude. It is not a friendly environment.  How do we change that? 

I believe we change it with love.  Christians know that God loves us and wants each one of us. Our job is to love others. Our lives are a witness of his love, and we need to share that love.  Note true love comes from God. If love is self sourced it ends up being about one’s self, and that is not really love. I believe to change this toxic environment, we need to practice the 4 acts of love in the table below. 

When people say … Imagine Jesus saying … Christians practice …
“I feel judged.”“You’re welcome just as you are.”Radical Hospitality
“I don’t want to be lectured. You don’t care what I think.”“Your thoughts are welcome; your doubts are welcome.”Fearless Conversation
“Church people are a bunch of hypocrites.”“We’re all in this together.” Genuine Humility
“Your God is irrelevant to my life.”“God is here, ready to connect with you a fresh way.” Divine Anticipation 

Radical hospitality is about being welcoming to even your enemies.  You do not have to agree with their ideas, lifestyle, or talk, but welcoming acceptance and respect of them as a person is one way to show them God’s love.  There is no need to judge, rather there is an opportunity to dialogue and build a relationship.

Fearless conversation is about sharing and conversing without fear.  There needs to be a lot of listening with questions asked to understand each other.  The welcoming respect of the person  allows one to not worry about the conversation.  Be natural, authentic, and humble because God has this.  There is nothing for you to prove.

Genuine humility means you can be yourself.  You can be vulnerable, because we are all in this together.  Humility is not defined as one’s shortcomings or by self depreciation. It does not involve comparing yourself to others. There is no judging. Rather “True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but it is thinking of yourself less” (C. S. Lewis). Genuine humility is relational: meeting people where they are at; being open to learn from others; and being willing to admit mistakes. 

Divine anticipation is recognizing that God is at work in our daily lives, and anticipating the work that God is doing around us and through us.  Don’t be afraid.  Tell your story in an authentic and natural way.  Just love them and let God work.  And remember to pray.  God is ready to connect with you and with them.

Toxic environments can be overcome with love.  Most of this information is from the book “Why Nobody Wants to be Around Christians Anymore” by Thom and Joani Schultz (2014).

Oh My!

Coronavirus (Fusion Medical)

Worry! Fear! Panic!  The coronavirus has produced a lot of worry, fear, and panic.  The quick spread of the coronavirus is concerning, but as Christian I need not worry or  be afraid. I still worry a little because the unknown is scary, but I need to remind myself that God has this and he is ultimately in control.  We trust him because he desires the best for each of us, and we can rest in the peace that he gives. There is no need for fear and worry.   

Most who get sick with the coronavirus will have mild symptoms.  That is the case for 80% of those who get it. About 20% get it bad and only about 1-2% of the cases will result in death. That 1-2% is about 10 times of what it is for the flu.  Those who are old or with fragile health are the ones at greater risk of serious complications.

As a child of God,  I should respond to the situation with love and concern for others.  It is those of old age or with fragile health that we need to be concerned about.  That is why taking the warnings and recommendations seriously is important. I don’t want to infect a vulnerable person.  I am doing a better job of washing my hands and doing it more often. I will do more disinfecting. I will go to less events, and I will be more careful at the events I do attend. The goal is to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.  I will be especially careful around those of fragile health or old age. The last thing I want to do is to infect them. That will mean more phone calls and less visits. I don’t want to isolate them either. And there may come a time when I could be of service delivering meals to those quarantined.  Those are my plans. What are yours? How calm are you? Don’t worry. Don’t panic. God is there for you with his love and peace.