Back in 2006 Bill Lamb, a Louisville TV station manager, stood up to the major TV Network that he worked for and told them he would refuse to air a TV special they had put together. When asked about his decision he said, “I have my own moral compass and this was easy.” He put his morals above profit, and possibly his job. As it turned out others joined him and protested to the network, and the network ended up dropping the TV special.
Some of you might be familiar with Hans Christian Anderson’s Children’s story, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” in which two con man convince a vain emperor that they have suit of clothes that only the truly gifted can see. And even though the emperor can’t see the clothes he falls for the deal and parades naked in front of the townspeople who have also been told that only the truly gifted can see the new clothes. Because everyone wants to be thought of as truly gifted no one speaks up until a child says, “But he isn’t wearing anything at all.”
Jesus said, “…‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” (John 8:31-32) History is filled with examples of those who were willing to ‘speak truth to power’ and many times the consequences were severe. Discipleship has a cost, and if we are disciples, then we need to recognize that our faithfulness will sometimes carry a risk. While the child may have spoken out of naivety and innocence, Bill Lamb was no doubt aware of the potential consequences of his decision.
As Christians, it is important that we give witness to the Gospel, to not let political or social agendas or even our own wants and wishes ‘set our compass.’ We steer our lives, our decisions by the grace given to us in Jesus Christ who has set us free to speak the truth, not only to power, but to speak truth in the power of love and grace, not with words that inflame, but with words that bring healing, not with condemnation, but with compassion. Certainly, accountability is important, but only in relation to guidance and support, we don’t just say what is wrong, we show what is right.
Years ago, there was a TV commercial featuring a group of people, diverse in age, race, ethnicity, gender, etc., holding hands in a chain reaching across a field singing, “I’d like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony…” Not everyone singing the same note, not everyone looking alike, thinking alike or even singing alike, but embracing harmony and diversity.
Our communities, our country and the world need to hear the truth of God’s love and God’s grace. The truth is God intended diversity in creation, God also intends for us to speak His truth. Being silent is not an option.
God Bless, Donn
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