Be a Light!

This editorial is spot on. If the link does not work, the notion can be summed up with the following quote:

"Guess what: words matter. Bookstores matter. Video games matter. But here is our challenge: If the primary terrorism problem we face today can effectively be addressed only by a war of ideas within Islam - a war between life-affirming Muslims against those who want to turn one of the world's great religions into a death cult - what can the rest of us do?

More than just put up walls. We need to shine a spotlight on hate speech wherever it appears. The State Department produces an annual human rights report. Henceforth, it should also produce a quarterly War of Ideas Report, which would focus on those religious leaders and writers who are inciting violence against others. "

The author, Robert Friedman, was writing about how we can no longer let the villains in our midst get away with murder by letting them hide. We need to shine a light on them and make them feel uncomfortable in their own skin. The rub - it has to come from within. If an American tells a "Muslim" terrorist that he is wrong, the terrorist is energized. If that criticism comes from within the real Muslim community, it works. The more people that shine their light on that person and villify him for his actions, the more effective it is.

I find this line of thinking as exciting as it is insightful. There is a lot of darkness amongst us in many forms - drug peddlers, people who oppress with hate, bullies, brutes, racists - you name it. As Christians, we are called to be a light to the world. Part of the beauty and power of being a light is that you refuse to allow people who act out of hate to hide in their darkness. The more light, the less darkness. Period. This is not just a choice we might make, it is who we are called to be. We really cannot both be Christians and allow people to spew hate. That is our challenge.

Be a light!

Anywhere

One of my favorite places in the world is the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. I hiked through the Cascade Canyon in 1995 in the middle of a pretty powerful thunderstorm. The sound of the thunder echoing off the walls while getting washed with a rain shower was pretty intense.

It is easy to feel appreciative of our earth and her rich blessings when standing in a place of such raw power and beauty. It almost seems foolish not to say a prayer of thanks as well when in the presence of such majesty.

We certainly don't need to be in the presence of such natural beauty to offer up a word of thanks. After the recent death of a young girl in my son's preschool, this resonates with me even more. Every morning is a reason to give thanks. It is easy to forget when our days are slammed full of things we might not want to do. But each day is still a gift.

So, Thanks.