Chaos and Order

I've been working on a new post, but saw this one in my drafts from the middle of 2015. It still needed some editing, but was ready to post; not sure what happened.

"Do not think that I come to bring peace to the world. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34

Jesus tells us many times to love our brothers and sisters. He often shows his love for everyone by going into their homes, being a part of their lives and giving whatever comfort to them that they need most. He healed the sick and diseased, He brought rest to the weary, He calmed the troubled and gathered those who were lost. He spoke of kindness, grace, forgiveness, and always of love. The life of Jesus Christ is our perfect example of how each one of us should treat others. But then He says that He did come to bring peace, but a sword.
Why would the Savior of mankind say this? It seems to conflict with His message and invites a hostile way of thinking. But then again, He habitually spoke in parables and our interpretation of Bible verses are often out of context. In our society today, it can too easily remind us of radical Islamic thoughts, or ugly Westboro Baptist Church-like actions. And the worst part is that these kind of verses, taken out of context, easily scare away people from believing in Jesus as our Savior. So how can someone choose to spread love, but also carry a sword? Let's first look at where the American culture is focused today...

Racism, bigotry, police brutality and political abuse of power, hatred, segregation, an abundance of trigger warnings, unequal wealth distribution, corruption in all levels of corporate and political structure, and an ever-growing war on religion are just a few topics that smother the news. The most commonly discussed issue in America this year has been about whether someone is offended and how to prevent it. What is going on? If you've been living under a rock for the last year and came out to hear these issues, you'd imagine a society stuck in the dark ages, ruled by a monarchy and surrounded by a barbaric army, while a single religion makes all the laws and each citizen carries a severe pride complex. History tells us how these stories end - bloody.

But this is today, this our world, our country, our home. This is where our family and friends live, where our children will grow up and how we'll be remembered. Unfortunately, this is a filthy time. But the one thing we don't have in common with a similar society centuries ago is that each and every one of us is to blame. That's right, I am ashamed to admit that the blame falls on me and on you. And we are also the only ones who can change the direction we are headed. We have a rare opportunity to avoid violence and blood-shed in order to cause a radical change in how our society, governance and way of thinking.
A revolution is just around around the corner and it is long overdue. Maybe that is why there is so much unrest amongst us.

It is said that the revolution will not be televised, which means that the revolution happens within ourselves. We have to change our mindset, to be critical of what goes in, and accept when we are wrong or lacking.
The first step is to recognize the fact that you will be offended. That is guaranteed. Life isn't going to serve you platter of "trigger warnings" which you can sort through to filter what you want to swallow. The planet can be a brutal, hard, rough place, no matter who you are. It always has been and always will be, so accept it now and move on. Seriously, drop the complaints and just stand behind a solid group of morals and values. Don't lose sleep because you were offended today. You are who you are, if everyone was forced to believe exactly what you think is the only way to live, you'd be stagnant. Growth and change are beneficial. What if someone else beat you to the bottom line? What if they forced laws that made everyone follow the same path they laid out? You'd forever have to be a vegan or a butcher, a Catholic or atheist, a Nazi or an anarchist, listen to one type of music, see only one variety of fashion or paintings. I'm not promoting capitalism or a world of unequals, I'm asking you to accept variety in culture and people that are different from you. That is what the Constitution was meant to be and why a Republic nation is so important.

Get used to being offended, then move on and let it go. I promise that you offend others too.

The next step is to learn how to collaborate. Learn how to have a disagreement, a debate and how to properly interact with those who have alternate views from you. Be willing to mature, listen to others speak and understand that pride holds absolutely no value. Maybe you have the greatest idea on how your community might improve their access to resources and become thoughtful consumers; instead of imposing your ideas, take the time to educate them, hear their side and adapt your own teaching to what works for them.
Choosing a side early on only limits your progress and damages future improvement. We have to learn that the big picture is to balance all the needs of every individual while preserving the basic human rights of every community. We cannot force our habits and ideals on others, we had a chance to purely accept what we hold dear and important, so we must allow others the same opportunity. On the matters where we do differ from others there is always a good time to have open conversations. Come to an understanding, find common ground, and a mutual respect will naturally happen.

These simple guidelines are the framework for peace with your neighbors. They don't guarantee peace and harmony, but merely part of the recipe. We're now in a position to mend wounds and leave our egos at the door. Qualms that emerge from racism, financial irresponsibility, and job corruption can be washed away. But there are still thoughts and feelings that have been rooted in humankind which need to be addressed.
We have a moralistic attitude that we feel needs to pushed on others. I am a firm believer that this stems from our current political corruption and very uneducated politicians. Between legal bribery (lobbying) and heavily regulated mainstream news sources, there are a large number of individuals with a narrow view on how certain situations must turn out. If we reevaluate what it is that others are doing and second guess how we expect the consequences of their actions to be, then we may find new methods to handling serious issues. We must open our minds for relearning old ways of doing things and be able to shift our perspective when what we've done in the past does not make positive impacts today.

This is where to sword comes into our lives.

Although everything is permissible, not everything is beneficial. This is what Jesus was referring to. There are quite a few mindsets that hurt ourselves, others and those who must pick up where our generation left off. What hurts others must be destroyed. Pacifism is not the answer to world peace. Love is the answer. Love solves all problems, covers all offenses, rights all wrongs. I'm not talking about hippie love, the love a man and woman can share between each other, or the love between two friends. I'm talking about the type of love that parents and children share, the kind of love that bridges age, gender, thought patterns, gaps in understanding; the love that can be passed on without question. In this love, there is discipline. It is the only kind of love that promotes correction, change, patience, and education. It is not easy, it adapts and grows. Life guides where this love will be revealed and in what way it needs to be present. 

This love that comes in the form of a sword does not bring others down out of aggression or superiority. There is no room for commanders or an iron fist in this kind of love. It is discipline, appropriate correction and very often comes from bold teachers. All will find some offense in this love, but eventually understanding and acceptance will overcome the feeling of a punishment. 

This love cannot be corrupted, for its roots have grown deep in truth. It knows the way to a peaceful community, no matter where in the world it is needed. It is fair and unique in judgment, for all life has value to this love. It listens and corrects, but does not rebuke or cause strife. 

This is the what Jesus was teaching through His parables and lessons. Yes, He did become angry and frustrated, but always with those who used religion for their own gains or with those who abused their positions of power. But Jesus did not call fire down upon them; instead, He called out their hearts. The things that hurt us the most don't always kill us, but change our character.

The world is due for a heart change. We could all use loving correction, careful guidance, and definitely some cleansing of character traits. 
I always have to remind myself that change can be good. Too often I see in my nature that I'd rather hold grudges, become bitter or cold, or just turn away from others. There are times we have to protect ourselves, but we really must pay attention to our hearts and if our attitudes are in the right place. I could use some loving correction on a daily basis. I'm open to being shown when I'm wrong, because then I have an opportunity to grow and learn how to be available to anyone in need. I pray that all of your hearts to not grow cold or become hardened because of the way of the world. I pray for all of us to feel what real love is and understand how important it is to be open to change. May we all find peace in the revolution.

"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38