10/20/2016 0 Comments To Stand in Front...To Stand Against"When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree by the river of truth, and tell the whole world---'No. You move.'"---Captain America The announcer's voice rings from the rooftop, and trumpets echo through the streets. Slowly, everyone around you is kneeling. Bowing to the statue of gold, in the image of a king. Your two friends place a hand upon your shoulders; you had all talked about this and agreed. Instead of kneeling, you would stand. Some of you may recall me using the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before, when I talked about what happens when God doesn't give you what you ask for. I'm not usually one to repeat myself, but I felt like I had to use this story again for an encouragement during the times we have found ourselves in. Election time, that is. In my last blog I talked about not simply standing for the things we believe in, but standing in front of what could threaten what we stand for. This time, I believe I need to talk about what that means in greater detail. Because when you stand in front of something, or someone, it means you're standing in their way. You're standing against them. In case you didn't get it last time, I'm voting for Donald Trump. Not that he was my first choice, mind you. But he's the best shot at standing in front of Hillary and all that she promises to accomplish that can hurt this country. Some think I am an idiot for this. Others consider me hateful or intolerant. I can assure you I am none of these things, and that most who think this of me did not view me as such...until I stated my political choice. You may find yourself in a similar boat, so I want to share with you three things that need to be taken into consideration when you stand in front of something, to defend what you say you stand for. One: Just because you fight for something, doesn't make you a hateful person.It would seem nowadays that the act of standing for what are supposed to be "traditional" Christian values is viewed as hateful. Just a few days ago I read a post that was written by someone who is supposed to be a pastor, that talked about Christians not actually being pro-life, because we viewed the baby as only valuable if it didn't grow up to be gay, if it was white, or if the child would always agree with our beliefs at every turn. First of all, let me just apologize on behalf of actual Christians to all who have been affected by people that are truly hateful and yet claim to follow Christ. I am truly sorry that you have only seen a tainted version of Christianity. But just like not all vegans are hateful of people who eat meat, not all---I daresay not most---Christians hate people who don't believe like them. Both groups of people are just defined by the loudest in their circles, and unfortunately few hear the real story (side note: no, I am not a vegan). Jesus died and rose again for everyone, because He loves everyone. The choice to believe and accept His gift of eternal life is yours. Whether you accept Him or reject Him, He loves you. So then, how could I not do my best to love you like He does, if I am supposed to emulate Christ? As a pastor's kid, of the millennial generation, who strives to be like Jesus despite my own shortcomings, I can assure you that I do my best to love you like Jesus does, whether you believe like me or not. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with you. After all, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego literally defied the ruler of a nation, but they were unfailingly polite and respectful to their king, even when he threatened them with death. (Daniel 3:16-18) They even held their tongue when his attempt to kill them failed! Just because I hold you accountable or believe differently than you does not mean I am filled with hate. It means I believe something is worth fighting for. Which also means that probably, so do the people who hold the opposite view. Two: Just because someone else fights against you, doesn't make them a hateful person.As an author, I have to develop the mind of every important character in my writings. Not just the hero, but the villain as well. It took me far too long to realize something crucial about not only the art of a writer, but the art of a human being: the villain hardly ever believes that what they are doing is wrong. The villain of the story almost always views himself/herself as the hero of it. And so do their henchmen/supporters/voters. They are willing to lay down their lives for their cause, just like the hero is. Usually, the villain's motives are impure, but relatable. A lost love, a grave injustice, the desire for power to right the wrong that was done to them. Now, with proper logic, reasoning, conversation, or even therapy, the villain can see that they are just that---the antagonist. But in real life, the line is much harder to draw for many people. So if you are friends, or even relatives, with someone who you believe is siding for the antagonist, you may very well be correct in your stance. But try to remember that the villain is lost, and those who follow them are lost, too. A cutting Facebook comment, subtweet, or passive aggressive statement is not going to help either of you. The best thing to do is to love them as you always should have, even if they don't reciprocate. You can remain resolute without being resentful. Or remorseful. Speaking of which.... Three: If what you're standing for is important, use it for inspiration, not instigation.I will say something about what I have seen in these debates, and the overall campaign on both sides: there is very little talk about the real issues. Even the media focuses on what Clinton said about Trump, and vice versa. A question about how to tackle international issues is answered with an attack on the opponent's character and/or performance. You do not have to stoop to this. My writing started because I desired to change the world. I first wanted to be a superhero, like many of us have always dreamed. But since I could not fly, I created characters who could. Only recently have I discovered that my characters reflected my writing in a very unfortunate way: Both were trying to fix the world. Something that neither I nor my fictional characters were supposed to do. I cannot fix the brokenness of people with my words, and I couldn't fix it even if I could fly. Firstly, only Jesus can save. (John 14:6) But I was called to do something very special, just like all Christians are: I am called to be the example. You do not have to ask me Who I follow, but I will follow Him just the same. You do not have to ask me what I stand for, but I will stand for it anyway, even in---especially in---the face of opposition. It is worth noting, King Nebuchadnezzar was inspired by the resolve of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego so much that he desired to follow the one true God. It could have been very different if the three friends had a cowardly attitude, or a nasty one. So if you are standing against something to be the example of a Christ-like life, take heart. It is okay to be filled with righteous indignation. It is normal to be ridiculed and insulted. Your willingness to stand is a testimony, and even if it inspires no one, which I find very unlikely, you will still have been obedient, and that is worth it in and of itself. To carry the loving example of the Savior of the world is well worth fighting for.
Having done all you can do to stand, stand. (Ephesians 6:13) May you be encouraged, and may you stand with us. As one.
0 Comments
The title got ya, didn't it? Admittedly, I did start this blog post ready to honestly say that the American Christian sucks at being American. I had a slew of paragraphs ready to blast people for thinking they could successfully vote in a third person---as if enough people would actually agree on a single third party candidate. However, I instead have decided to ask you two simple questions. The first is, "What do you stand for?" Do you stand for the unborn to be defended as if they are actually a viable life? Do you stand for an economy where you don't have to worry about another crash like the early 2000s? Do you stand for something that---while not directly in line with your beliefs---could help our country instead of hurt it? Allow me to go back in time, for a moment, to the 2012 election. My heart sank as the person I had voted for---someone I believed to be the lesser of two evils---had lost. Mitt Romney was not my first choice. But I voted for him on principle, because I didn't believe the country deserved another four years of the Obama administration. I found out that for a nation that was supposed to be founded on Christian beliefs, we are constantly in conflict. As I scroll on social media, as I even talk with friends with whom I am supposed to share nearly the exact same religious beliefs, I find us to be a people most divided, at the pettiest of things. Some of us think that we can vote for a third candidate, others have decided that they won't vote at all. Even more so, a great deal are afraid to speak their desired choice at the risk of being judged as racist, intolerant, or hateful. Can I just say something? You are all lying to yourselves at this point, and lying to yourself...is still a sin. Just like last election, you think that you can vote for someone who holds more closely to your beliefs, and your conscience will be clear. But if Dr. James Dobson---someone who has interacted with presidents and committees and continuously addressed the moral issues of our country unashamedly---can cast his vote for Trump, as he has already stated, then so can you. So, I am going to do my absolute best to ask the Holy Spirit to speak through me with three truths. Regardless of who you've chosen to vote for already, this may or may not sway you. But at least I'll know that I've spoken my piece. Also, let me just say that I've seen people making statements that Lincoln was a third party candidate. He wasn't. The Republican Party nominated him as their candidate in 1860. You know, the same party that Trump's a part of. One: There is NEVER going to be a perfect candidate. Yeah. Sure, we all know this one is true. Of course no one is perfect. We tell ourselves that every time we go over the speed limit to beat the guy in front of us to McDonald's. But if he/she is going to lead MY country, they better believe every single thing I believe to be important! Did Trump say disrespectful things to women/people of other races/other politicians/etc.? Yes he did. Has he apologized? Yes. (AND: As of the date of this article, I've seen news reports that the allegations of sexual assault were false, by the way.) Does he believe every single thing that I, a pastor's kid with a deep love for Christ and a desire to see broken people find healing and forgiveness in the arms of Jesus? No. Of course he doesn't. He is a rich, aggressive businessman. But he does believe abortion is murder. He doesn't like Obamacare. He is more or less a Republican, which does hold as close to my beliefs as a political party is going to. Which brings me to my second point. Two: You are not a bad person for voting for Trump. Regardless of what you believe about Trump, you're not like him if you vote for him. I think Tom Cruise is a great actor, but I'm not a Scientologist. I can appreciate a lettuce wrap, but I'm certainly not a vegan. I can vote for Trump and not be a racist or an intolerant, hateful person (which I don't believe Trump is, but whatever). I said at the beginning I was going to ask you two questions. The first was, "What do you stand for?" But the second is a better question: What do you stand in front of, to defend it? Three: It's not just about what you stand for. See, everyone stands for something. But I know of very few Christians who will stand in front of something to fight for what they say they stand for. Sure, you can post all the status you want, protest in front of whatever abortion clinic you want. I'm not saying those are wrong or ineffective; I've done my share of things like that. I am saying that America was supposed to be a nation by the people, for the people. We are the ones who vote. We decide who is in office, governing our nation! Are you going to stand in the way of someone who has lied, let soldiers die on foreign soil when she could've helped, and broken multiple laws? Or are you going to stand in the way of someone who said some mean things? If you don't stand in front of Hillary and all the things that she promises that are going to negatively affect this country, then you not only didn't defend what you say you stand for...I don't believe you really stood for it in the first place. We have to stand, we have to stand in front of the democratic party's agenda, and we have to stand as one.
And if we don't stand as one, it won't be Trump's fault. It won't be Hillary's fault. Or the dang liberals, or the kid who mows your lawn. It will be your fault. What will you stand in front of? |
Victor Sassano IIIAuthor of the Why You Suck Series. Adventurer. Warrior-Poet. Superhero enthusiast. Servant-Leader. Archives
March 2018
Categories |