It's Time for Change!

             It’s been a sad few days in our country.  On Wednesday, the life of a young man who loved God, his family, and his country, in that order, ended far too soon.  Yesterday, we recalled the destruction and devastation of September 11, 2021, and remembered the thousands of lives that were lost that day.

            I didn’t know Charlie Kirk personally, but I knew of his faith and his commitment to bringing the younger generation back to the values that this country once held dear.  I also knew that he welcomed open dialogue and debate and did not attempt to denounce or malign those who did not agree with him.  The loss of one so young with those values was enough to bring a tear to my eye when I heard of his passing.

            Yesterday, I watched the news media replay the fall of the Twin Towers.  I had watched that same destruction as it played out on live TV twenty-four years ago.  Still, seeing it again brought tears.

            These two events, while separated in time by 24 years, are a reminder of what this country has become—a place of anger, bitterness, hatred, and violence.  We no longer take the time to hear or discuss opposing views.  We simply condemn, hate, and stop talking.

            Our Founding Fathers were far from perfect, and they did not always agree, but they were able to vigorously debate their differences.  Neither the Declaration of Independence nor the Constitution was written overnight.  They were each the result of free and honest debate of men who had one goal—the birth and success of a new nation. Throughout our history, there have been other debates that resulted in new ideas and ultimately led to changes that made our nation better.  Somewhere along the way, we have forgotten how to have open discussions, agree to disagree, and still be able to have a cup of coffee or a meal together.  Instead, we yell and scream, call each other names, and refuse to dialogue with anyone we do not agree with.  Families have even refused to sit down to dinner together because they disagree with their politics.  This must stop!

            Charlie Kirk once said, “When people stop talking, that’s when violence happens.” His words proved to be prophetic.

            The Scripture shows us a better way.  James, the brother of Christ, said this:

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 1:19,20 NIV84).  He went on to say, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” (James 3:9,10 Niv84).

Today, as we mourn and remember, let’s begin to initiate the conversations—free and honest debates of ideas.  Let’s stop the name-calling and accusations.  Let’s remember that we are each created in God’s image, and let’s learn to treat each other with respect and dignity.

James 1:19, 20

James 3:5 -10