I used to have a high priority to not cause anyone trouble. I didn’t want to be known for any problem at all. Growing up I certainly feared the wrath of my parents more than any other authority figure. But growing in Christ, I’m realizing that following Him will lead to opposition, criticism, and being shunned at times. The persecution in our culture may intensify but so far, it is nothing like other parts of the world. Following Jesus way of living and thinking may not be understood, even by church attendees. But in Him we have security. He will never leave us or forsake us. We have nothing to prove to anyone but our love and devotion to our Lord.
“Deep in our hearts, we feel sick about the hostility, dishonor, and disdain in our world. A kind of collective fatigue manifests itself in our disgust for our culture. We are exhausted by the devaluing of others but feel powerless to stop. I feel this at times after I am done looking at social media. There is so much condescension and so much anger. I feel both grieved and overwhelmed. I want to lash out, but I don’t exactly know how. We don’t know how to change the channel of contempt. Unity feels like a pipe dream, and healing, out of reach. Our hearts are grieved by the failure of the church as well. The way we devalue people for their theology or lack of it, different practices and traditions, and struggles with sin. Our vision of God has been lowered, his power is scarce, and his love is a rumor that’s been chased away. I believe there is a cure for the cancer of contempt: honor.” - Jon Tyson, Beautiful Resistance
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