Get in the Fight

Everybody stands for something - otherwise you just get swept up in the tide of other people’s opinions and emotions without having any solid ground to stand upon. Few things are worse than being blamed for something you didn’t do. Worse yet, getting blamed for something you did do – but you know that it wasn’t wrong. Some people love to twist stories and bend the truth to suit whatever is most favorable to the outcome they desire.

While many people would see this kind of behavior as completely wrong and manipulative – some people are blind to the consequences of their actions. Everyone does not hold the same moral compass – if we did, we would have establish world peace and perfect harmony everywhere. So where do we find solid ground amidst all the chaos and find our voice in the crowd? It’s not easy to do when being cool and fitting in is the priority. Sometimes doing the right thing is not well received.

We have to risk the danger of not fitting in so that we can find our solid ground. Sounds silly? When we’re faced with angry people ready to point the finger at us, it’s difficult to keep your heart from beating a bit faster, even when you know you’re doing the right thing. Even when you’re doing the right thing – how do you know you are doing the right thing, and how do you convince others you are doing the right thing?

No matter how much convincing you do, there will be times when it falls on completely deaf ears. People will often do whatever they can to avoid, ignore, and go against reason, if it goes against what they want to hear. No matter how ridiculous of an excuse one has to hold on to a false belief, they will convince themselves of it, one way or another. So, it’s not our responsibility to convince the world, but it’s important to explain yourself when required.

There’s popularity in moral relativism – which seems like a new concept, but it’s really not. In the John Lennon song, “Imagine,” he paints us a picture of a nice peaceful world, with everyone living for today, and living without religion – or God. While everyone may think that they can live an independent life, following whatever they desire, ultimately their sense of “right” is going to impose into someone and be seen as a “wrong” to someone else. We can’t all have our own independent moral way and function in a cohesive social order as the same time.

The ideas John Lennon, and the Beatles promoted do sound appealing. Promoting love and peace sounds great, but the human nature isn’t inherently good and ready to play nice. Even the lives’ of the Beatles are much darker than their records show. Habitual drugs, drinks, affairs, and greed eventually tore them apart in all directions. Just because we understand ideals and morals doesn’t mean we follow them. Wishful thinking doesn’t make ideas practical or make us good people.

God is the source of love. Everything outside of God is just a second-hand version of something that may resemble love, but it’s missing the main ingredient – God. God’s love is what causes the good things we seek to come into fruition. On our own, we fall short of the proper way to obtain the right style of living that we seek. A changed heart, by trusting in God, is what allows real peace, love, and harmony.

A big reason God has a bad reputation in modern society is because Christianity is made to seem like a killjoy with a lot of rules. However, those “rules” guide us into a better lifestyle. If we live for our own desires, we tire out, become anxious, harden our hearts, and become selfish. We blame God for our dissatisfaction, as if this life just isn’t fair because think we should have it the way we want it – without any discipline.

Additionally, people see Christianity as a sexist, homophobic, and unfair practice. Every system needs to have order and what we desire isn’t always good for us. Relationships between man and wife mean that both man and wife have their own roles - different, but equally important. A gay lifestyle means that you won’t procreate. Pleasures need to be enjoyed within their proper constructs. There is a time, place, and order for everything. If we break the rules, we only cause others and ourselves suffering.

So, get in the fight and stand for something - if you don’t look popular, then it doesn’t matter. Is being popular more important than truth? We don’t need to impose ourselves on everyone, but we should be willing to voice our opinion when given the opportunity. Without order, we’re left with chaos. If everyone is looking to each other to fit in, then no one is looking forward to see where we’re going. Connect with God and live with confidence - in this life and the next.

For further related reading, please check out: Be Yourself.