I’m not completely sure where Hell is, or what exactly is happening there, but I’m fairly certain it will look a lot like the Comments section of every online article ever published.
Lately, it’s become a ghetto of easy degradation; a sad, twisted place where decency goes to die, where people of all ages, readily assault complete strangers from the protective anonymity of temporary identities.
And sadly, too many Christians seem to fit-in all too well here, acclimating perfectly to the environment, willing and able to bring verbal violence in a way that would be unthinkable at close range.
It’s so easy out there in the virtual world, to lob venomous insults like grenades from the perceived safety of our smart phone screens; to type the most vicious, dehumanizing filth, because we believe that no one sees us.
Yet, for those who claim Christ, we would be downright blasphemous to believe God is turning a blind eye, and absolutely foolish to think that the world isn’t watching.
I see so many religious people out there, regularly being the source of such damage to the already damaged in this world; of piling-on when in the presence of those they disagree with, fear, or downright do not like.
It’s sad, and mystifying, and it’s so, (forgive my ineloquence), unlike Jesus.
Matthew writes of Jesus, looking out over a sea of people who’ve been listening to him teach: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (9:36)
Jesus’ first response to the brokenness around him, was compassion, not contempt and condemnation.
His default setting, was empathy for the needs of those in his path.
His first instinct, when looking into the crowd, was to be, as the word’s origins describe, “moved in his bowels” by the pain and lostness he sees, and even further, moved to alleviate it.
How about you?
As you look out over the thousands of people whose paths cross yours each day through your touchscreen, what moves you?
What is your default reply?
What are you compelled to do in response to the messed-up, worn-out, world-weary crowd you are connected to?
Because, to be honest, I don’t see a whole lot of this kind of internal, gut-wrenching empathy for people coming from Church folk these days, especially online.
Instead, I see lots of vigilante bullies, trolling cyberspace, looking to unload on people they’ve never even met; to somehow beat the love of God into them, to scream them into the Kingdom, to badger them into belief.
And I’m weary of it.
I’m absolutely exhausted, watching people of faith bringing pain, instead of alleviating it.
It’s so tempting as we encounter people whose beliefs are different from ours, who lifestyles run counter to our own, or whose understanding of God or themselves isn’t aligned with ours, to fire back with that perfect quip, that exquisitely crafted put down, or that stunningly apropos Scripture reference.
Quite often though, it isn’t worth the collateral damage.
When interacting with people who disagree with them, a Christian should never fight as hard to be “right”, as he or she does to be loving.
Today, as you interact with the world through technology’s window, realize that there are actual people behind your screen; flesh and blood people made in God’s image, with hopes and heartaches and wounds and war stories.
I’m tired of Christianity being held hostage by the damagers.
As much as I am able, with my words and with my influence… I’m setting it free
