Today
is the 4th of July and instead of my typical red-white-and blue garb, I
choose a dark shirt featuring a dove breaking out of some kind of biding and
the phrase, “Love Cannot Be Silent.” I wear this shirt intentionally and excitedly today (I love
the 4th of July) but also with a good measure of
self-consciousness. Not the least of
which is because, as my literal husband and son would point out, the statement is
simply not true. Jesus displayed the
greatest love by going faultless and sinless to the cross (Acts 8:32). Secondly, silent is exactly the posture I
intend to take: silent in solidarity
(with those who need justice) and silent in humility – ready to listen, ready
to mourn the atrocities of the past and present.
But I fully believe at the same time the statement “love
cannot be silent” is powerful and true.
The organization who sold the shirt is called Preemptive Love
Coalition and their whole schtick is to go into war zones and depressed areas
and to intentionally meet the needs of the oppressed, marginalized, and
forgotten – especially refugees.
So I bought and wear the shirt because I believe in the
sentiment behind it. True and acceptable
religion is this – to care for widows and orphans (James 1:27). When I become aware of wrongs, injustice, oppression,
those in need, then what is the role of love?
Do I pass by on the other side of the road? Or do I act?
Do I remain comfortable and “unaffected?” Or do I get a stranger’s blood on me pulling
him from the ditch? (Luke 10:30-37). To
the one who has been given much, much will be expected (Luke 12:48).
And so I am urged to act and to stand. Against what is wrong. With those who need defending. And I cannot remain comfortable and “unaffected.”
Love cannot be silent.
When
the ice caps melt
When
refugees are starving
When
children are sold
When wages
are unfair
When
food systems cheat
When
race brings discrimination
Seek justice. Love
mercy. Walk humbly. (Micah 6:8)
We need to grow comfortable with being uncomfortable.
And yet, fired up, my self-consciousness returns.
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew
26:41). Reality sets in. I am a
hypocrite to myself. Because as I don my
statement-shirt, ready to take a stand for justice and mercy, my flesh
fails. I am asked to send a birthday card
to a Sunday School teacher, visit sick grandpa, do a favor for a family member. UUUUhhhhhgggggghhh……
How can I stand against oppression when I struggle to care
for the orphans and widows in my own world?
Maybe knowing and seeing my hypocrisy is a good first
step. Maybe recognizing that the most eloquent
post, most well-researched thesis, most sacrificial giving is nothing if I can’t
mail a birthday card (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
“Dear children, let us not love with word or speech but with
action and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
Lord, let me be faithful with the little things (Matthew
25:23).
Love cannot be silent.
Love must be faithful.
And so though we stand words silent, in solidarity,
let our attitudes and actions SPEAK VOLUMES!
