Who are you?

Things on my social media feed –
1. The golden globes – awards for people who make movies

2. National Championship Game involving Alabama and Clemson

3. Presidential transition 

These are currently the 3 primary mentions on my social media feed. Normally, I wouldn’t really give much attention too any of them. But for some reason, today I read them and as I did I noticed in all the stories a recurring theme. 

The first mention was the Golden Globes. Statues were given in recognition of work in film and it was a star-studded affair. At one point on the famous red carpet, NBC correspondent Jenna Bush was interviewing the artist Pharrell about a movie he was actively involved in. During the interview, she misspoke and mixed up titles with another movie. I’ve seen the video, Pharrell stumbled in response and the interview went on – it was a little awkward, but obviously it was a misstep by Bush. But apparently enough people spoke up about because the next morning, Bush had to offer a public apology for her misstep. People said she had disrespected the actors and those who worked on one film. She was accused of “hurting people” by her words. I watched a clip of her, fighting tears, to apologize for messing up. 

The second topic was the College National Championship game between Clemson and Alabama. As an SEC fan, I am committed to despise every other team in my conference (though I will always root for them during bowl games). After living in Alabama for nearly 2 years, I have first hand knowledge of that team and their fans. I don’t know much about Clemson, other than their team wears Orange and Blue and their coach has a funny name. In the days prior, I heard both coaches called geniuses and arrogant morons. I heard football players called heroes and over-privileged goons. I heard that these same players are given all kinds of luxuries and that they also need to be paid because they are being “taken advantage of.” 

Finally, a cross over between the Golden Globes and our President-elect. At the Globes speeches were given. Actors/Actresses gave thanks to parents, spouses, kids, co-workers, and God as they received their little golden statue. One actress, the incomparable, Meryl Streep, received a lifetime achievement award. In her speech, she spoke out for the disabled – a worthy cause indeed – but she did so in a way to embarrass the new president-elect. There were a few on my Social Feed who immediately defended the president from those “wacko” Hollywood clowns. While others, on my same feed, joined in the chorus of bemoaning the president-elect, calling him an “idiot” and other less-than-respectful terms. 

What does all this have in common? Well, to put it mildly, disrespect. When I was little, I was taught by my mom, dad, grandparents, uncles and aunts, teachers, pastors, practically everyone, to show respect. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nuthin at all” as the little bunny from Bambi would say. It seems that as I’ve gotten older, we are teaching a very different lesson. Rather than looking for positive things to say, it is expected that we not only looking for negative , but we actively seek it out. It is en vogue to promote the failures of others and it is expected that we smear someone’s face in that failure and that we rejoice in their just desserts. It is the expectation and it is the rule. 

I have voted in 7 Presidential Elections (might have been 6 – it’s early as I type this) and my candidates haven’t always been elected. I’ve voted for local leaders, state leaders, senators and congressmen but I haven’t always had “my candidate” win. But guess what, they were still my Leader, Senator, Congressman or President. I could strongly disagree with their policies or some of the things they said, but it was my understanding that they were still a leader that I was to respect (even when they did disrespectful things). 

“But Jim, we need to speak out against abuses so that we don’t allow this country to become taken over by a Hitler/Stalin/Mussolini.” “We need to hold people accountable and make sure things are right.” Problem is, we can’t agree on right. And I totally agree about speaking out against injustice – it seems very little angers God more than injustice and the abuse of the vulnerable. But having a voice and tearing another down can’t be the way, can it? Bemoaning a TV correspondent because she got caught up and said the wrong name isn’t about accountability. It’s about making ourselves feel good because someone screwed up. Calling young men who play football self-entitled brutes, isn’t going to change my day, is it? Criticizing a leader with words instead of actually doing something about the actual behavior is nothing more than joining in on a “I’m louder than you” shout-fest. 

And all of this negativity is not what a Christian is to be known for. We are to be known for what, or better yet, who we follow. We are to be known as a people of divine and incredible Love – a love that comes from the one who gave himself up for us. We are to be known as a people who pray for our enemies – who bless those who persecute us – who praise and encourage those who are downtrodden. We are to stand against injustice, but not just with words on a facebook post – we are to stand with actions, love in action. We aren’t supposed to look like the rest of the fallen world – we are to look like JESUS, and I think we’ll be hard pressed to find a Jesus who acts so self-entitled and self-congratulatory. 

And when it comes to our leaders, we are called to pray for them – whether we agree or not. Is he your president? Yes. Remember, Paul never said that Caesar wasn’t the emperor of the Roman world – he even appealed to Caesar. Paul said pray for Caesar – the same man who would later cut off Paul’s head. When we see those with various disabilities belittled, we should stand and say “nope.” But more than just saying “nope” we should be giving the example of acceptance and love. 

Christian, in the words of Peter, you are a different people, a royal priesthood and a peculiar people. We are not to be associated with the negative talk, the banter, the nastiness that is so prevalent in our world. We are to be different. The very simple question is: Are you, am I? Are we bearing fruit that is in kind with the branch we have been grafted into? Or are we just part of the crowd?