I, like the rest of the world, am devastated over the recent events in Florida this past weekend. I honestly can't even really wrap my head around it.
On Sunday morning, when I heard the news, I did what most people around my age do when they want to talk about something- I went to Facebook.
Social media can be both a great gift and a great curse. For starters, everyone on these different networks have their opinions and the whole point of being on there is to share them. That itself is the gift and the curse of it all. I love reading different peoples' takes on situations, testimonies, opinions, funny memes etc. But it also shows you who people are.
I am, by far, not the most perfect person in ANY area. I sin and fall short like everyone else. But I can say one thing I KNOW THAT I DO, is love.
Many posts came across my timeline from believers who displayed a lack of sympathy and an "oh well" approach over the deaths of 49 people, simply because they were in a gay club. After reading the first one I was annoyed; by the fifth one, I was outraged. These posts were getting likes, shares and even scripture to "back up" what they were saying.
Immediately I thought- we have failed as Christians if our love for people is based off of their sin. If that had been a church event would that have made the people inside more valuable, more worthy of life? It hurts to think that I know, and am acquaintances with, people who truly believe that.
After I posted this on my Facebook page:
" Already deleted 5 people and will continue to delete anyone who says anything about someone deserving or "shouldn't have been in a Gay nightclub" as a justification for their death. Its heartless. I don't talk about a lot on my Facebook but that's so unacceptable it makes me sick. 50 children of God got their life stolen last night. THAT IS WHAT MATTERS."
I realized that even I still have to walk in love with those people who have such thoughts. Even though I did delete them (and don’t regret it) I cannot cut them off completely.
And yet, despite that flood of cringe worthiness, I do not want to negate all of the positive things I DID see that day. I want to shine a light on Love.
As a Christian I believe that means we are called to love, and I witnessed escapades of many people who were doing just that. Prayers were being sent, people were gathering, and christian organizations like Chick-fil-A were lending their helping hands. It was beautiful.
Christians, you are not any less holy, Godly, or Christ like if you love on or show support to the gay community during this tragic time. In fact, you are even more so walking with God by actually doing all of that. Christ died for every one of us, and the next time we believe that someone is more valuable than someone else, I challenge you to find the scripture to back up those thoughts. (spoiler: you can't)
Even though I was disappointed and hurt by some of the things I saw, I took it as a challenge to make sure that I do my part in LOVING everyone always. That doesn't mean that I agree with a certain lifestyle or that I condone everything. You can love someone and bring correction; you can even love someone and stand your ground. But when there is a community of people mourning, you cannot decide that they don't deserve life, love, or support- because if you decide that, your Christianity is suspect and you are poorly representing Christ.
I am praying for everyone affected by the tragedy in Orlando, and if you are reading this and have came across a Christian who is not showing you love, I apologize. Jesus showed the ultimate act of love when He died for us ALL on the cross. And then resurrected to bring us ALL new life.
He did not pick and choose which sinner he was going to save, and neither should we.
