#amplifyjustice: A Follow-Up
Why is #amplifyjustice important?
I wanted to express more of why I published the previous #amplifyjustice article.
As believers, we are called to encourage one another, to lift one another up, to teach each other, to mentor and be mentored, and to grow together. In my previous article, I highlighted the issue of feeling unsafe from disrespectful expressions of harassment through social media.
Part of the reason I am passionate about changing the climate of social media is because I love the church. I really, truly believe that if our community is fostering derogatory, objectifying attitudes that it can hinder the way the church is intended to function. I know for myself, it take so much of my conscious effort to allow myself to be encouraged, lifted up, taught, and mentored by or alongside my brothers in Christ because I sometimes have a guard up. Granted, the church is supposed to be a safe place and I have not had issues with the male pastors or mentors or friends at my own church- and that's not the point of this article.
I have, however, seen young women and noticed within myself a hesitancy for positive interaction with our brothers or male leaders because of negative interactions (whether those negative interactions have been reciprocated or not).
As Christians in unity, we can open the window for a refreshing, spiritual breeze to revitalize the climate of our community. Let us be motivated in Love, by Love.
First, we must recognize that if we are interacting with young women, they too might have this invisible guard up... We don't always know where they come from, what they have been through, or what people have told them. May we have an attitude of patience and grace.
Second, we must teach our sons, fathers, husbands, cousins and nephews- the men and boys in our life, how to care for the beloved and valued daughters of God. Teach them how to respect and protect and care for women- whether they are related to the lady or not. Especially teach them that they don't have to be the husband, brother or boyfriend of a girl/woman to stand up for her.
Thirdly, we need to reach out to those who are sending these messages. I would say the best way to do that is to be Christ's followers in our community. These people need Jesus as much as any of us! They need grace! The perverseness and filth comes from lack of the fullness of Christ. While we might not know exactly who these guys are.. there is a good chance they are the people who grocery shop in the same places you do, go to the same bank as you, and who pump gas into their car at the same gas stations as us. Let us be intentional, prayerful, and unashamed of the gospel. Because the gospel affects everything.
In closing, I want to thank you for reading this. Even more, if you decide to share this via social media, or even just bringing these concerns up in your Bible studies or conversations over coffee or tea, an EXTRA BIG THANK YOU.
Romans 12:5 ESV
"So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."
1 Timothy 5:1-2 ESV
"...but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity."
My prayer is that God can use you and me to restore healthy, edifying relationships in the church. That we will be free to communicate who Christ is to each other without fear of wrong motives. That Love, not lust, will win. That awareness will bring the Light into our lives, and bring repentance, healing and change.
Because here's what's up: Jesus cures injustice. Jesus changes everything.
I wanted to express more of why I published the previous #amplifyjustice article.
As believers, we are called to encourage one another, to lift one another up, to teach each other, to mentor and be mentored, and to grow together. In my previous article, I highlighted the issue of feeling unsafe from disrespectful expressions of harassment through social media.
Part of the reason I am passionate about changing the climate of social media is because I love the church. I really, truly believe that if our community is fostering derogatory, objectifying attitudes that it can hinder the way the church is intended to function. I know for myself, it take so much of my conscious effort to allow myself to be encouraged, lifted up, taught, and mentored by or alongside my brothers in Christ because I sometimes have a guard up. Granted, the church is supposed to be a safe place and I have not had issues with the male pastors or mentors or friends at my own church- and that's not the point of this article.
I have, however, seen young women and noticed within myself a hesitancy for positive interaction with our brothers or male leaders because of negative interactions (whether those negative interactions have been reciprocated or not).
As Christians in unity, we can open the window for a refreshing, spiritual breeze to revitalize the climate of our community. Let us be motivated in Love, by Love.
First, we must recognize that if we are interacting with young women, they too might have this invisible guard up... We don't always know where they come from, what they have been through, or what people have told them. May we have an attitude of patience and grace.
Second, we must teach our sons, fathers, husbands, cousins and nephews- the men and boys in our life, how to care for the beloved and valued daughters of God. Teach them how to respect and protect and care for women- whether they are related to the lady or not. Especially teach them that they don't have to be the husband, brother or boyfriend of a girl/woman to stand up for her.
Thirdly, we need to reach out to those who are sending these messages. I would say the best way to do that is to be Christ's followers in our community. These people need Jesus as much as any of us! They need grace! The perverseness and filth comes from lack of the fullness of Christ. While we might not know exactly who these guys are.. there is a good chance they are the people who grocery shop in the same places you do, go to the same bank as you, and who pump gas into their car at the same gas stations as us. Let us be intentional, prayerful, and unashamed of the gospel. Because the gospel affects everything.
In closing, I want to thank you for reading this. Even more, if you decide to share this via social media, or even just bringing these concerns up in your Bible studies or conversations over coffee or tea, an EXTRA BIG THANK YOU.
Romans 12:5 ESV
"So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."
1 Timothy 5:1-2 ESV
"...but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity."
My prayer is that God can use you and me to restore healthy, edifying relationships in the church. That we will be free to communicate who Christ is to each other without fear of wrong motives. That Love, not lust, will win. That awareness will bring the Light into our lives, and bring repentance, healing and change.
Because here's what's up: Jesus cures injustice. Jesus changes everything.
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