Too Much

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The other day my daughter started to read the account of Elijah McClain. A precious young man who lost his life because evil once again took the form of a man in uniform. I had to ask her to stop reading.


It’s too much. 


I want to stay informed. I need to hear the stories reminding me that I must not stop bringing light to this dark dark place, but I can’t hear them all. That one. . . that one could have been my son. He was kind. He was gentle. He played the violin for animals at a shelter. 



It’s too much.



There are some things that are extremely difficult to reconcile. It is difficult to look at policemen the same, after hearing story after story of racist rants, beatings, murders, etc. But here’s the thing… it’s difficult to look at humans the same after hearing stories of evil penetrating our society. It’s difficult to believe that people are inherently good when we allow our minds to only take captive the thoughts of the evil one.



I will say it again. We must recognize the real enemy. He lives inside of people who wear uniforms. He inhabits those responsible for the youth. He thrives among those who wear symbols of the church. If we are not careful, he will take up residence inside us. 



Refocus. Reset. 



“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” -Philippians 4:8 



Today, let’s choose to be the humans we want to see in the world and help others be the same. Lead by example. What we feed will grow. It may take some time of discomfort, including listening, learning, then changing. It will take choosing our battles. It will take laying down the things we may have allowed to become idols in our lives. It’s a small sacrifice. If Jesus layed down His life for sinners like us, I think the least we could do is put another human’s comfort before our own.



I’m pretty sure it won’t kill us.



“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

-‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:3-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬


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