By: Cynthia Shaffer
I snapped this picture during the 2016 presidential election. I thought the way it was worded was very interesting. It made me think of this Bible verse:
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” –Matthew 15:18
Our nation is not more divided. There isn’t “more” hate. Circumstances have a way of revealing what is *already* in the heart. The division/hate is merely manifesting itself differently. Words are being said and deeds are being done which would have not been said or done in the recent past…openly. If we use 1964 as a barometer (and any pervious time period), we should place the expression of today’s hate in proper context.
Communicating one’s self-described indignation was quite a chore before social media. I mean, one had to be face-to-face. Or make a phone call. Or write a letter. Point being it was much more of a commitment to air one’s grievances back in the day. Today, one can just type away and even be anonymous! It’s too easy.
Our nation is relishing in the freedoms our Constitution provides, namely freedom of speech and assembly, but ironically, the exercise is being seen as divisive/hateful. But see, the exercise is merely manifesting what is already in the heart. We can’t read people’s minds or definitively know what is in their hearts, but their words are a crude indicator.
Candidly, I’m more interested in what I can control (myself) rather than what I can’t (everyone else). Everyone else’s speech and behavior is measured by a sliding scale of hypocrisy. Fidelity in action (the walk) to what one says (the talk) is one of the highest-calling of any human being.
