After yet another act of politically driven violence my brain began to process. Process because, well, that’s what I do. I always process trying to figure out the why behind what’s going on around me. To be honest, I’m not writing this to defend or promote anyone. While it isn’t ever okay to commit violence against anyone, and I’m forever thankful to our law enforcement who give so much of themselves to help stop it, I’m not looking to make yet another post asking for the country to simmer down, or on the other side, to not let politicians get away with playing the sympathy card. Whatever side you’re on, I don’t really care.
What I began to process was that we all seem to have such strong opinions that are moving, shaping and directing so much of our lives. With the news in our pocket 24/7, and more sources of ideas, input and ideologies than we can count, we are bombarded with opportunities and demands to feel, think or act differently based on what the world around us is doing.
This is where I go back to something I wrote about a little while ago, but was made clear to me yet again today through the news, but also through personal interactions and conversations. I’m overwhelmed by the realities of our world and how the impact of the information at our hands is driving us to try and take on issues, good or bad, that are not truly in our control, understanding or domain of influence. We all continue to feel that we have a bigger voice in every situation than we truly do, simply because there is always an avenue to share it and find others who agree. This that I’m writing, yeah, it’s that exact thing.
But I’m not writing to get you to believe what I believe or help me bring about a change that I want to happen. I’m writing today because I don’t want to lose you. You are the only you. The things you’ve been called to, instilled with, educated for, and poured into are only found in you. The family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, fellow students, community around you only has one you. I know, some may say that these issues that we are fighting for impact them, and they do.
I’m not saying don’t care. I’m not saying don’t vote with your conscious and values. I’m not saying don’t create opportunities around you to bring about incremental change where you are called to be. I’m saying that if you go to change the world in a way that you aren’t meant to, in an area you truly don’t know all of the facts and figures of, in an arena that truly is not yours to fight in, then all of those people will lose you. You who maybe the only ear and voice they have around them that can make a difference in their lives. Sure, it may not change the course of politics or laws in your lifetime, but it’s the difference that you can actually make. It’s the difference the world actually needs you to make.
Today I attended my local church. It was important for Erica and I to find a home church that was in our community. It isn’t perfect, no church is, but its our people. In that place I played my role of building the presentation for people to sing and better understand the message being shared by our pastor. I sat and listened to my teammate in the tech booth share about watching his dad flatline numerous times this past week. I had a great conversation with a pastor where we were able to reminisce about how amazing it is to get to look back and see what God did with our imperfect service we offer to Him. I gave my sons and wife a hug.
I also received a text from a new friend who happens to attend a church I know a bit about. He wanted to share with me their lofty goals and borrowing ambitions for yet another building campaign. He shared it with me because we had just had a conversation about how much it pains me to see so many churches that were built through the blood, sweat, tears and finances of God’s people eventually sit vacant looking for a second use after the church closes up. I had some strong feelings. The very pastor that was promoting this great spend on building previously shared the same thoughts and feelings about God’s money and the unnecessary building that often takes place for the manufactured excitement of growth it creates. He used to share with me how it often was an easy win to build instead of making the hard leadership choices in how to lead with what we’ve got until we absolutely can’t do anything else. Things have changed now that he’s in that leadership position.
But you know, I’m not writing about that pastor, church or even venture. It hit me that all of those other things I shared that I got to be a part of today, they were mine to be a part of. There wasn’t anyone else that could be me in those situations. This other church, while I dearly love it, is no longer my place to have an opinion or make a change. I don’t need to influence or or process or feel the feelings that go along with what I think of their plans. It’s not my place. It’s not my place, because my place is here, not there.
Today, I’ve read a lot about the latest person who carried a gun into a situation that wasn’t there’s, hoping to make a difference. I won’t pretend to know the fullness of the why behind it. I just know that his place wasn’t one of an elected official who knows all of the details of things going on. I know his place wasn’t one of a soldier called by his country to fight on their behalf.
What we’ve learned is that he is an incredibly talented, gifted and educated man. We’ve learned that he was a cherished teacher who made differences in the lives of those he taught. We’ve learned that he has family that love and care about him enough to even call into the police wanting to help him when they discovered that he might be going to do something terrible. Now, none of those things get to have him.
He stepped into the realms of those things not called of him, not equipped within him, not prepared for him to do and left behind all of those things that truly need specifically him. I’m not going to step into trying to fight the battles of our government or figure out the ways we can do it all better. I’m not going to invest my heart, soul and future into trying to learn as much as I can through the avenues within my reach to try and figure out what I can do, because that’s not my calling.
I can’t do that because if I do, the things that don’t need me get me. Then the people and places that do need me, lose me. Maybe not in the same way, but in the way I spend my time, or am distracted by anger, frustration or angst.
Today, I want to plead with you, because if you’re reading this you’re within my realm of who I feel called to connect to and impact. I want to plead with you to not let everything around you lose you by burying yourself in what isn’t yours to take on. Take on what it is that’s yours, your family, your friends, your neighborhood, your church, school, mosque, synagogue, temple. Take on what you’ve been equipped and placed to care about.
Don’t let the world lose you where we need you, here.