Greetings one and all.
This Imus thing has created all kinds off fallout, bigger than Don Imus losing his job(s).
In addition to the piece I published the other day on words (Imus & Words as Tongues of Fire), we as a nation are having dialogue, on TV, radio, the Internet, newspapers, and personally. We are talking about the private and public hurt and pain all this has caused. We’re also having to deal with the issues of racism, misogyny, integrity (personal and corporate), responsibility, (personal and corporate) and various other divisions in our culture, on and on.
I believe this public discourse is good, because we are also hearing words like forgiveness, redemption, community, and the need for the healing of the national psyche.
A lot can be learned from all this and we can change.
For those who claim to be Christians or pretend to be (and I know many reading these rants of mine are not), there are some principles that should be lived out before a watching world, and in that we have opportunity to practice being salt and light in the culture.
So, let’s set our own house in order.
For people who are believers in Christ, it is like a family. “There can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, (white people, blue, black, brown or green people) slave, free, male and female. Among us you are all equal.” (Galatians 3.28)
“Words like Jewish, and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, (Catholic, Protestant, religious right, left-wing, conservative, liberal) insider, and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. Everyone is included in Christ” (Colossians 3.11)
Ultimately, “He gives all men life and breath and everything else; and He has made of one blood all nations of men who dwell on all the face of the earth.” (Acts 17.26)
There is no such thing as right wing, liberal blood, or Black/White breath. Your breath goes, and you’re outta’ here. Get cut, and we’re all gonna bleed the same red blood.
Other metaphors defining us as a people are replete throughout the New Testament: We are to speak the same thing, with the same mind, the same judgment, in the unity of one Spirit, as one bread, and one body, etc., etc., etc. We are to be ONE. Like in, “One nation under God.”
One translation says “We have been woven together like a tapestry of love.” I like that.
In my personal opinion, I believe God has dropped the hammer on this nation and is giving us all a chance to turn around (repent is the Biblical word) and change our thinking and our actions, and line up with the conduct that should reflect us as a people.
Some words came out of Don Imus’ mouth, but remember, “Out of the mouth comes that which fills the heart.” (Matthew 15.17-19)
It’s not just our words that need cleaning up; it’s our hearts. God says He can give us a new one. We need it.
Think on these things and thanks,
Scott
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