Love Cannot be Silent

Today is the 4^th 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 4^th 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!