Why I Don’t Get Worked Up Over Cultural Issues
By Zack DeBerry
It’s been about a month since the devastating events in a Charleston, SC church. A lot of news has come and gone since that terrible night. There are people who have taken strong stances and feel that this is the issue that will lead to lasting change. At the risk of sounding apathetic or uncaring I have to be honest: I really don’t get caught up into discussions on social issues like this.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I feel for the families of the victims and those who face this type of hatred on a regular basis. I rarely read or watch the news in my daily life. I realize that it’s what others are probably talking about and I should probably spend at least a little time trying to be engaged in current events so I can engage in the conversations, but I just don’t.
When I hear about events like this and other social issues I almost dread the slew of tweets and opinion-littered posts on various blogs and social media outlets. I understand the outrage that results from things like this and the quick outlet that is provided in the digital age that allows people to express their opinions, but I try to avoid it because it just doesn’t seem like a beneficial activity.
I may be a little naive, but for me it all comes down to the fact that I really do believe that God has everything under control. I don’t want to waste my time on something that ultimately God already has covered. Whenever I see events like this, my default doesn’t go to words like racism or whatever social issue buzzword you throw in there, but my mind just goes to one word: Sin.
Everything for me all comes down to sin. Granted, it manifests itself in many different ways in our culture, but the issue is really the sin that exists in this world. As a follower of Christ, I know that as long as we live on this earth there will continue to be events like this because of the power of sin in some people’s lives. I also know that because of the power of the cross of Jesus Christ, ultimately sin will be defeated.
One of my favorite verses is found in John 16. Jesus is telling His disciples that they will soon have to go on without Him. He assures them that it is better because they will have the Holy Spirit and will be empowered to do greater things than they had seen done. Jesus then ends the chapter with a great promise in verse 33. Jesus says:
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
This is a verse that gives me two truths in this world. First, we will have to endure many hard things that we may not understand. Second, we can have complete confidence that Jesus has overcome the world and the sin that causes much of the suffering that exists in this world.
So, I don’t get too caught up in the news or the various social issues that will continue to arise in our culture because I truly believe that the root problem is sin. I know that as long as there is sin in the world there will continue to be tragedy and injustice. My hope is not in the lowering of a flag or some political movement to end injustice.
My only hope is in the cross of Jesus Christ and the same promise that He gave His disciples, that He HAS overcome the world.