Strange Times and the Christian Response

We are living in strange times. This of course, is an understatement. I have recently taken some time away from writing to attempt and find my bearings. It is difficult for writers to stop writing as it is a sort of phantom limb to our soul. We have much to express, but also need to be discerning with how we convey our thoughts – many of which do not fully come realized until placed on paper or screen. I was not a casualty of writer’s block per se, rather I wish to sit in the current moment we find ourselves in. Make no mistake, these times are in fact different than we have ever experienced, but they are also deeply rooted in the past. Both pandemic and racial unrest (or rather, unity) are both extensions of years of history and injustice. No matter how far we swim from the past, we will always be buoyed to it.

As someone who has suffered in both career and relationship due to writing, I am very aware at how important words are and how they resound long past conception. During this time I have learned that it is not the writer’s job to offend, but it is our duty to share truth from our perspective. This is always to be done with respect to all, but will undoubtedly offend many. In baseball, even the best hitters are only right a third of the time. I would always advise readers to have a discerning eye but an open mind. It is only through challenge that we can grow in our shared humanity.

These are some of the thoughts I had when I scanned social media recently. I was honestly appalled. As a failing Christ follower, I was struck with how little discipline many “believers” have shown. Further than this, the grace of Christ we are to cling to is sorely missing in both dialogue and action. Christ teaches that we are all – regardless of opinion or even faith – are inseparably connected. Humanity is a family and much like our shared history, no amount of effort can undo this. Perhaps this is why we find ourselves in such a battle over public health – for the myth of living in a vacuum is shattered. Many can no longer retreat into their corners (or churches). We all depend greatly on each other, more now than ever. The things we share, the words we use, and the doctrine that guides us will undoubtedly spill into the public sphere.

Christians are bound by a Savior to be earnest and intentional with how they interact. For the disciple is to be ever aware with how their faith is transmitted through the scope of culture. If we can no longer represent Christ in this – though imperfectly – we are to hold our silence. Perhaps, if we listen, we might hear Christ whispering through the noise.