We have become a group of followers. One person makes a move and others soon follow. Whether it is setting a fashion trend, taking a challenge or making a political or personal statement someone will see or hear it and do the same. There’s an old saying (and a country song) that says: “You have to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” How true.
Standing up for what we believe in is very important and those who do that deserve our respect. Taking a knee in protest to something while others are standing up during our national anthem is very disrespectful and hopefully will be replaced soon by a more progressive action. The fact that the NFL has allowed this trend to continue is not a good reflection on the organization in my opinion. The act of kneeling has always been an act of worship and when Tim Tebow did it for this reason he was ridiculed and laughed at by many. What sense does this make to anyone?
Protesting is one thing, rioting and looting is something else entirely and must be dealt with as any other criminal act would be. Chanting and holding picket signs started a long time ago and increased during the Vietnam War years. Anyone who supports this kind of conduct and especially those who promote it need to be dealt with. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to destroy. Send your protests to those who make our laws…. and demand action not just conversation. If you have ideas for what action needs to be made include it in your letter. Nobody hears ideas when riots are going on. If you don’t have a solution for a problem, learn to listen to those who do then decide what action to take.
It has been suggested by an actor that all black people stay at home for one day (Sept. 26) in order for others to see exactly how black lives do matter. Why can’t we all simply agree that ALL lives matter and just get on with living? I’m sure most of us live in areas where organizations already exist whose goals are to help those struggling to find work, fight depression, get housing and meet the cost of living. Get to know what organizations exist in your community and get involved by volunteering, raising funds or manually helping with the work they do.. .. or start your own if none exist that do what you feel needs to be done. If life matters then let’s get busy trying to improve it for everyone, not just for one race or one group. If we act, others will follow.
Right now is the most important time to stand up for what we believe in, especially for those who are Christians….and don’t fall for the lie that “one person can’t make a difference” or “my vote won’t matter anyway,” Every vote and every life matters and can make a difference in whether we keep the freedoms we have or we allow the government to make decisions for us in far more ways than it already does.
Whatever we do, let’s do it respectfully and with the understanding that others opinions are important too and their rights are just as real as our own. We can not demand respect or love and expect to receive it. We must first show others what love and respect feels like then hopefully they will follow our example and give it back….and whatever we do, let’s never “take a knee ” for anyone other than, in worship and prayer, to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
