I have spent a lot of time lately feeding my obsession, on Disney +, with Hamilton the musical! What Lin-Manuel Miranda created is nothing short of theatre-into-feature film genius... there is no question that the man is a LEGEND!
The story of Alexander Hamilton is an amazing journey of rising from nothing, fighting for what you believe in, battles won and lost, love, family, friendship, loyalty, power, corruption, grief and so much more all jelled into the historical narrative of the Revolutionary War and the birth of independence in the United States of America!
The cast are incredible, and right now, with how many times I have watched it along with playing and singing along to the album alllllllllllll day long, I think I am nearly ready for my broadway audition to be in the cast! Emma Trueick a Drama Queen ... surely NOT - said no-one ever LOL!
Hamilton along with his friends, spectacularly fight for the causes they believe in and near the start of the story when he first meets Aaron Burr, the main antagonist of the story, this is what he asks... well, not really asks more sings of course...
"If you stand for nothing Burr, what'll you fall for?..."
Through the whole narrative, Aaron Burr "plays his cards close to his chest" with where he stands on issues and what he believes in!
I have been thinking a lot about this question: What do you stand for?
Looking back over the last 12 months, and perhaps even the last few years the world is a very different place and feels like it is changing quicker and quicker!
Having taken the time to think about this through observing the world, listening to and taking part in many conversations, I cannot deny how it has made my heart very heavy and sad - seeing how people treat each other; so much hatred, anger, frustration... etc...and it's all about OPINIONS!
We are all very used to the phrase 'everyone is entitled to their opinion' which seems to get thrown about now more than ever, however I do feel as our world and society is evolving rapidly, this phrase should now be 'everyone IS entitled to their opinion and NO ONE is entitled to their opinion', simply because there is becoming increasingly less room for open and respectful conversations - it is no longer 'on trend' or satisfactory to agree to disagree ... welcome to the world we are now living in!
There are so many world events-topics-causes that no matter how small, have had an impact on us all!
From... 'Bregxit' to (dare I say it) 'Megxit',
From... Elections to Fraud,
From... Black Lives Matter to White Supremacy and Privilege,
From... Violent Protests to Erasing History,
From... Pro Life to Pro Choice,
From... Equality to Inequality,
From... Gay Marriage to Conversion Therapy,
From... Who you feel you are, and have a Right to be in your Sexuality to Biology and Deeply held Beliefs,
From... World Pandemic to World Vaccination,
From... Offending People to Freedom of Speech...
... and on and on and on we go...
The list is endless with what we have all been facing, or had to face, or argued over, or been offended over, or what our hearts are aching over!
Even in writing this my heart is so heavy with the weight of the thoughts and questions I have in my own mind with all these events-topics-causes, mentioned above!
There is no question, the world and all of us as humans are in PAIN! No matter what you have gone through, what you are currently facing and what you will go through in the future, have a think about how you have been affected by the small list I have given?... add your own... it's scary and devastating how much PAIN there is in the world right now!
As I have found a lot more time on my hands these last 12 months now, like many of us, you can't really miss the news! Everyday we are bombarded, and most of the time by the NEGATIVITY and the absolute WORST, of all of these things!
The media has always had power, but over the last 12 months it has stood out more as a very dangerous tool, wielding an unprecedented amount of power right now that is shaping our culture, influencing our societies, and manipulating our opinions...
Before I go any further, let me say this...
Everything mentioned above, and what you have maybe added in your own thoughts, are valid in this world! They are all important events-topic-causes that affect every one of us. They are good for us all to care about, to have opinions on, to have a deep heart felt passion for and to work on together for our societies and culture to grow and help shape the next generation!
On a personal level...
Of course I have my own thoughts and opinions on all of these events-topics-causes, I am human just like anyone else! However, with the bombardment of news/social media etc... my purpose and heart in this blog is not to get into any kind of debate with what my views are as I continue to be in the process of trying to figure out a lot of these things, but what I do want to share and give some food for thought on is this... as I am working through these things, for myself, ONE BIG QUESTION that continues to play on my mind is this:
As A Christian, how am I called to be in this world right now?
We cannot escape from what is going on all around us in this world, but for me first and foremost as a Christian, I can't help but feel that this question has got to be at our very core and our starting point of how we are to live out 'being present in the world, while being set apart'.
John 17 v 13-19 (NLT), Jesus shares this prayer, to his father, for his disciples, and their instruction for following his example of being in the world and set apart for God,
"Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth."
As I have watched the world events unfold, seen the horrors of the things happening and been shocked by social media posts and feeds, I am so challenged as a Christian! I have been spending many hours praying, listening to talks and chatting with friends trying to find answers to how am I called to be in this world right now...?
I have chatted to God about this a lot, because it is weighing so heavily on my heart and I have ended up with more BIG questions, such as:
How do we respond to people in conversations?
How are we a presence on Social Media?
What are we allowing to shape our thoughts and opinions?
With how much pain people are in, how do we love people better right now?
Does everything we are doing have a Christ centred focus in our hearts and attitudes?
I don't know if you have taken any time at all, to take a step back and stop for a bit to think and reflect over these kinds of questions for yourself... maybe give it a go!
This year has pushed us out of our churches, and I don't think that has been a bad thing, (this is not a 'dis' on church by the way, I miss being in church so badly) but has it made us pay a bit more attention in the world? quite possibly... and in view of that, how ready are we to face the world and be a part of all of these events-topic-causes?
I remember when we were first in lockdown this time last year, I used to go on really long walks, after watching church online, with my worship music on and just had a good chat with God. One thing that I kept asking him was, 'What's your big plan, what are you doing in the middle of all of this?' As I spent more time with God on that question, I can't help but feel that, being pushed out, of perhaps a bit of a 'comfort zone' and the 'safety', of our church walls, is a very important part of what has unfolded this year. I think that this has not only made us pay more attention in the world and to what's going on around us, but have we been stopped in our tracks to also, think more deeply about the impact our presence as Christians is having at this particular point in history?
So, coming back to being 'in the world but set apart' ... how do we do that?
I was listening to a podcast just yesterday (by the Praxis Movement - "The Future Of The Church" with Ann Marie Kerr and Alain Emerson - check it out - it was really good!) and it was talking about the impact of this year on the church and how this could change the shape of the church going forward. A part of the discussion that struck me was how this year we have been given 'time'. Life has slowed down and we have been hit with what's going on in the world and they were discussing, and I'm paraphrasing ... not quoting... just how this 'time' has been used to reflect, to dig deeper into the word of God, learn a lot and seen how God has really shaped and built up faith and that there is a real feeling of a deep purpose for this process! I loved that because that really resonated with what I feel has been happening in my own journey. To give a tiny example, I am not a reader, but with 'time' this year, I made a conscious decision to take up reading more... and while I am reading a mix of books, the Christian books along with my bible studies have given me such depth that I would not have taken/had the time for previously. I know God has used this time for my own journey with him; to shape me, build me up, strengthen my bible knowledge and understanding of Him, and I have grown in my love for God massively this year and I am so excited by it all ... hence why I am sharing this!
Here is the 'grande finale' of my ramblings..
I said at the very start, this world is all about OPINIONS! Everyone is looking for people to be on their side.. What do you stand for? is a very big question at the moment and whatever answer you give will expose your 'identity' and very quickly put you in particular boxes on events-topics-causes where anyone who doesn't agree may very well cast you aside!
So... What do I stand for?
My loyalty, My allegiance and My heart will always be first and foremost at the cross of Jesus Christ! And that is where everything else, including my opinions, must flow from!
Yet another question... What does that look like?
For me, this blog is very much a part of me being able to process any of my thoughts... with this, it feels like right now, it is more important than ever to spend a little time, take a step back and get back to basics and look at, in more detail, the example that Jesus set for us during his time on earth! We are called to follow the example of Jesus with our lives, and now seems like a pretty good time to refresh ourselves and dig a bit deeper for guidance to help us navigate the world around us!
We have to be present, We have to be part of these conversations that are shaping everything in our world right now ... and here are some points that I am feeling really challenged on.
When we look at the life of Jesus and his time of ministry here on earth, he faced and experienced it all and so much more - he faced opposition and from religious leaders who were offended by his teachings - he faced disappointment with his disciples - he faced the shock and horror of people when they saw him with outcasts and the oppressed of society and so much more... all leading to his ultimate purpose, when he faced anger and hatred and corruption and betrayal, that sent him to the most horrific of deaths!
As I have been reflecting on that, I can't help but think on how people claim the bible to be 'culturally irrelevant', archaic and out of touch, and they are entitled to think that!
I believe the exact opposite to be true, the example we see in the life of Jesus and his experiences I feel could not be more relevant, but crucial for us as Christians to cling to and dig so much deeper in to, than at this time right now! As I've looked at what Jesus faced what has hit me hard, and certainly pulled at my heart strings to write this... and at the very core, is how JESUS RESPONDS!
With religious leaders - Jesus spoke to them in with words from the Old Testament and teachings they would have understood, and also rebuked them for their lack of belief that He was in fact THE SON OF GOD... "Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness." (NLT Matthew 23v28)
With his disciples - Jesus taught them so much! I always love that image of what it must have been like to have sat in the presence of Jesus - he loved them and they loved him - and yet in their own human failings, they betrayed him, denied him, doubted him and took their eyes off him - but Jesus, out of love for his followers and heart for this special group who were being equipped, firsthand, to continue sharing the gospel and to build the church, challenged and reprimanded them with questions of... "You have so little faith... why did you doubt me?" (NLT Matthew 14v31)
With the outcasts and oppressed - he performed miracles he healed the sick, and showed so much love and compassion because he saw the depths of their hearts longing for the hope that ONLY he can give, and reassured them of this hope by stating... "Rise and go; your faith has made you well" (NIV Luke 17v19)
With people in the temple who were using it as a market place, he expressed anger and hurt over how his fathers house was being abused... "Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves. (NLT Matthew 21v12-13)
and with his father - he wholeheartedly surrendered to his purpose here on earth as he prayed in anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane... “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”(NLT Matthew 26v39)
I have loved spending time with God looking at this, and how I have felt so challenged to ask myself - do my responses and actions mirror the example of Jesus? Is the first act of my heart in any answer I give filled with love of wanting to not only honour God, but reveal more of him to whoever I am with at that moment? Am I loving people like Jesus did? Am I standing strong and defending my faith in God? Am I acting gently in love and displaying grace? Am I ready and equipped with the word of God to share the reasons for the deep rooted belief and hope that I have in my heart?
"Your heart should be holy and set apart for the Lord God. Always be ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. be gentle as you speak and show respect." (NLV 1 Peter 3v15)
This has been a really challenging time for us all, and I have had a challenging but overwhelmingly fruitful few months processing all of this... and in end, it's not about what side of the argument I sit on, it's not about the events-topics-causes, they are what will be effected because just like us, these are a part of this world we are living in... but for me this all starts with who I am in this world because of God, how I am trying to follow the example of Jesus in my everyday journey with him, and what impact am I having as a believer in God?
So... let me finish with the one question that this all started with...
WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR?
I hope and pray this has given you a challenge and some food for thought... it certainly has for me!
Praying that this blesses and encourages you in your journey this month.
See you again soon!
Emma xxx
