The March that Matters
Over the past week the USA witnessed large numbers of people marching to and in Washington D.C. The powerful and the weak, the wealthy and the poor, the famous and the neglected gathered inside of the 68 square miles of our capitol. There were those who gathered to cheer. There were those who gathered to jeer. I would struggle to believe that anyone gathered as a neutral observer. Many marched with the hope of being heard.
During and since the events of the weekend, those who stayed home have watched the events of Inauguration weekend and been left to speak about, speak into or listen to others express various opinions. I have done one thing in every case. I let every person who spoke know that I care about them and value them. During intense emotional moments it is never my desire to debate, express agreement or seek to change a mind. I care too much for people in these emotionally charged moments.
You see, I believe that a march that really matters already happened some 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ had a cross placed on his shoulders and he marched to the place of the skull to suffer and die as an innocent man. That march settled everything. Ever since that march ended, God has been working to pull humans into a powerful relationship with Him. My belief in Christ and my desire to be one with you as Christ is one with the Father means I will not let those who identify as (place label here) cause me to be engaged in a culture war with you. I want you at peace with Jesus, not at war with me.
Please understand the following:
- I am not suggesting there is no room for peaceful political protest.
- I am not suggesting we compromise beliefs to create a false sense of harmony.
- I am not suggesting we fail to stand and advocate for truth and justice.
- I am not suggesting we refuse to speak about biblical positions on social issues.
However, we have forgotten how to stand for truth without knocking others down. We have forgotten how to make passionate statements without destroying others in the process. We have forgotten how to love unconditionally.
I am passionate about Jesus. If you want me to tell you about him, I will! I am passionate about the truth that is found in Scripture. If you want to hear about that, you can find my sermons on the GFN Church YouTube channel. The march that mattered 2,000 years ago is the march that calls for my participation. Jesus now asks me to join him on his journey of selflessness, death to my own agenda and a commitment to passionately love people.
I have strong opinions about every social issue we face in America. However, when we allow marches on Washington to divide us we do harm to the march that matters. When we forget about the march that matters we are hurting our march against the kingdoms of this world. When we forget about the march that matters we are hurting our unity in marching against the dark, spiritual, fallen forces of evil. It is time we take up our cross and march with Jesus.
Will you join me in taking up our cross and following Jesus?
Will you join me in refusing to allow us to be caught up in the emotionally charged culture wars? Will you join me in finding peace in the resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit to redeem this planet?
Will you join me in placing your love for people over your love for political agendas?
Will you join me in trying to find ways to express your beliefs in ways that do not trample the love we should have for others?
Will you join me in a march that matters?