On August 22nd of this year, thanks to the internet, we saw the brutal killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte train.  This murder shocked the world.  On September 10,th many in the world saw a brutal assassination of Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA on a Utah University campus.  The gloves came off so many people, who felt they had to share their opinion about Charlie’s assassination.  The internet has made that more possible today than any other time in history.

Let me be clear.  I am a woman in my 60’s who was created in my mother’s womb with enormous passion.  At a very young age I lost my voice through abuse.  Throughout my 40’s I experienced healing and regained my voice.  So now, I must decide, when do I speak up and when do I stay silent.  I care deeply about these two events, as well as many other injustices that happened over the last few years.  The person who knows me the best, has said the following words to me multiple times over 47 years.  “Rebekah, justice is important to you.”  That would be my kind husband who has wisdom that I always need.  We need people in our lives to stabilize us.

There’s something inside of all of us that detest injustice, and even the most timid can have a rising up on the inside, when we see events like these two events I’ve mentioned here.  I’ve watched so many short clips, podcast and interviews over the past week that I’m weary.  As soon as I feel I want to post something that someone said, I hear that person say something I don’t agree with.  Trying to be religiously correct or politically correct is exhausting.  I must remind myself to get off the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and remain on the tree of life.  I’m being reminded of a very important thing.  There’s only one flawless person that has ever lived and HE died on a cross. 

The problem in our world today is we are quick to label people.  Wrong, Right, Conservative, Liberal, Republican, Democrat, Right, Left to just name a few.  We want camaraderie, and to feel the God given need for connection.  We are searching to be understood and experience comfort.  But there is nothing that can soothe the ache in our souls like Jesus Christ.  When words fly and opinions post there is enormous room to be misunderstood.  This will only make things worse.  I’m currently praying for wisdom and self-control regarding my passion.  Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.  The next 8 verses in chapter 3 tells us 28 things that there is a time for.   It concludes in verse 7 & 8 saying there is a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

We must all follow the leading of the Holy Spirit inside of us as we express our thoughts.  And we must be willing to be misunderstood or labeled.  It is painful, but sometimes necessary.  On the other hand, did God call me to express what I expressed?  Am I adding to the problem or taking away from it?  I’m so glad we have a Savior who is alive and well inside of each of His believing children who gives us everything we need.  Connection, comfort, a voice that can be heard, a strength to make a difference and a held heart to navigate rejection.  And it is up to HIM to bring justice in HIS way.

We live in a broken world, and we need Jesus.  We also need one another.  You will not say everything perfectly and neither will your neighbor.  We can only give grace when we give ourselves grace.  Let’s feel our feelings and process our grief in safe places.  Let’s watch our words carefully and pray fervently.  Let’s not write off people that we don’t agree with and always keep the door open for relationships to trump being right or proving our point.  As I Corinthians tells us, “And now these three remain: faith, love and hope but the greatest of these is love.”