In the wake of the school shooting in Florida, I’ve had to remove myself from social media and other forms of media. The sadness and sorrow get to be too much if I consume very much news about the shooting. Those young lives were so senselessly taken for no reason at all. It’s hard to wrap my head around the entire situation.
I honestly can’t begin to sympathize with the parents and loved one, because I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I can’t imagine what the families are going through as they bury their children. Furthermore, the images of that day will forever be burnt into the minds of the students, teachers, first responders, doctors, and everyone else who had to witness that gruesome scene.
Adding to my personal sorrow and frustration is the thoughtless political bickering that’s followed the shooting. Cheap one-liners bashing the NRA or praising the idea of teachers toting guns are merely deepening our political divide all while fueling those who are dumb and arrogant enough to think that simply posting or engaging another person on social media will solve our problems. Social media feuds solve nothing, but to stroke egos and destroy pseudo-friendships. Then amongst the antagonists are the indignant individuals who believe that anyone who disagrees with their point of view is not only wrong but bound to burn in hell for all eternity for not supporting the candidate who was clearly chosen by God. Why does a dissenting ideology necessitate us labeling our opponent an enemy of all humanity?
Then the saddest and arguably most dangerous humans with social media accounts are the ones who mindlessly like and share blatantly false information. This is most concerning to me when I see this being done by people who call themselves Christians. Christians, as followers of Christ, are supposed to follow in His example. Do we not remember that whole ten commandments shindig where God wrote a couple of his key points in stone?
Thou shalt not bear false testimony – that means we’re not supposed to lie or spread lies. And while we’re on the topic of the Ten Commandments, why don’t we go a bit higher on the list? Do you remember that first one where we’re not supposed to have any other god? Do you remember that one?
Many well-intentioned Americans who claim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are publicly making the United States of America their god and putting that god ahead of the one true God. Let that sink in for a moment. Honestly, stop reading for a moment and think about it. The Second Amendment and right to bear arms is far more important than loving thy neighbor as thyself.
Honest question: If Jesus were alive today and living in the United States of America, would he own a gun? Furthermore, do you think Jesus would use a gun if someone broke into his house at night?
Here’s where I have the biggest problem. If you break into my house and threaten my family, I have no qualms about putting a bullet into your brain. Not one. If you bust through my front door and try to hurt my family, you are going to die. I’ve been raised to believe that protecting my property, my family, my very life with deadly force is the God-given duty of every wholesome God-fearing American. I’ve been intellectually trained and culturally indoctrinated to believe that Jesus would instantly spray a barrage of bullets upon any would-be assailant should one ever cross His path.
Yeah, but…wait…that’s not…oh…well…ummm…but…
I have a problem with that.