I’m sure you have noticed the palpable divide in our society at this time in history. Of course there is always going to be division among people because we are not of one mind or one purpose.
People have always been divided, making choices places a person on one side or the other of an issue. It is inevitable to end up with 2 or more groups with differing opinions and differing ideas. What we are witnessing in today’s climate is nothing new. What is concerning is the hyper-division that seems to be plaguing us right now. We choose sides and stick to that side whatever the cost. We have to be for what our side is for, and against whatever the other side is for.
This hyper intense atmosphere has made it really difficult for society. You have people who want to stay apart from the fray, who want to simply exist and get along with everyone.
We’ve seen this played out recently in the kerfuffle surrounding the Ed Sheeran concert tour. One of the participants, Macklemore, had made some public comments about his support for the Palestinian people and against the genocide occurring in Gaza. These remarks made their way to one of the sponsors venue’s owners, Robert Kraft. Kraft is a longtime supporter of Israel, and he demanded Macklemore be dropped from the tour. Ed Sheeran obliged Kraft and dropped Macklemore.
Sheeran didn’t want to choose sides or get into political controversy, I get that. He didn’t want his music to be associated with any particular group.
It may seem reasonable to just not choose a side, to not politicize yourself or your brand. Here’s the problem, life IS politics. Doing and saying nothing still leads to an outcome. Standing aside from controversy is making a choice.
What is happening in Gaza is genocide. The Palestinian people are being systematically displaced and killed. Tens of thousands have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023, with roughly 50% of the total casualties reported being women and children.
Macklemore took a stand, said the killing and devastation is wrong. Not supporting killing and devastation does not mean Macklemore is antisemitic. He has chosen a side to say that the continuing military actions by the Israeli government is wrong.
In Deuteronomy 30:19 God says…”I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” Choices are before us every day, not choosing is choosing. I can be against something, and not be against a whole group of people. I don’t believe wanton killing and devastation is right. I choose to stand on the side of those who are experiencing first hand this carnage.
I understand, the reasons for war are always murky, with lots of nuances and hidden agendas. I also understand the need for security from attacks. These are necessary. But killing mass numbers of people and devastating a whole region surely cannot be the answer. There’s always plenty of blame to go around when conflict arises as well.
I had an infestation of ants recently in my condo. Would I be justified in burning down my condo building to rid myself of these pesky ants? Of course not. There are controlled solutions to target just the ants, and guess what? They worked!
Surely there is some way to arrive at security for the region without completely destroying everything within. Humanitarian aid needs to be allowed and supported in the region. Those who are not combatants should be safeguarded. There are measures that both sides should support, and then work toward solutions that are just for all involved.
But not choosing sides? That’s not what we are called to do. You will remember in Revelation John saw a vision and was commanded to write that vision in a series of letters to seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. In Revelation 3:15-17 we read…””I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
Choosing sides is not easy or for the faint of heart. It requires us to stand up, to become a voice for the voiceless. We choose life, abundant life for not only ourselves, but for all people. When we choose, we choose to seek solutions, not rhetoric or political expediency.
May God give us the wisdom to choose to always stand on the side of mercy, of forgiveness, of grace, of love. May we be guided to choose the side of those are oppressed and in need.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom