“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” James 3:6

The world is on fire.

The United States in on fire. I speak not of the literal fires in cities across our great country, but of the fires swelling in our hearts and bursting out on our social media accounts. The fire aimed at one another through harsh words and worldly division. This fire is not staying without the church or family of believers: It has worked its way inside the doors of our hearts. Fire can be good, but if left unchecked it will certainly consume us.

“Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” Proverbs 6:27

What is the source of this fire?

Most of us have been on some kind of stay at home gubernatorial edict for almost 90 days. For nearly 90 days our contact with one another has been limited. Now, as it has opened up, we find ourselves behind masks, following arrows, and being reminded every five minutes by friendly public service announcements to wash our hands and keep 6 feet away from everyone. My initial feeling of being herded like a cow through the parking lot of Costco complete with crates for fences outside, and roped off areas inside has not abated.

Unfortunately, the above paragraph is just the background setting. Over 40 million  fellow citizens have lost their jobs. That is like the state of California becoming unemployed. We are told over 100,000 people have lost their lives from a virus shipped to us from a country that calls itself our enemy. Apparently, many of these deaths could have been avoided with better policies. More on that later, but in the mean time sit on that number. If the death count is correct that is the population of Bend, Oregon, one of the fastest growing cities in the United States (30% growth in the last ten years), wiped off the face of the earth.

It gets worse. Enter in the politicians. Never mind that the many of people that serve in all three levels of government (city, state, federal) are paid for by our hard earned tax dollars and hold their position only by the electorate. Many of these officials have now imagine themselves to have power. They do not legislate or enforce laws, they make edicts that are generally against their state constitutions and challenge the Constitution of the United States. It doesn’t really matter what your political persuasion is, there has been plenty for all to be frustrated or angry about.

If you weren’t bothered in general by our representative government, no worries the media found plenty of wood, hay, and stubble to throw on the rubble pile of our emotions. The media also only exist at our pleasure, but we just stare idly as they pile on the fuel and pour on the gasoline. They will report on the results of the fire, too. Either way the media retains their positions of employment and continue broadcasting from their elegant homes or state-of-the-art recording studios without suffering the consequences of the financial ruin of their fellow countrymen and profiting from reporting on the fire they started.

Thus far, the last 90 days has separated us physically, emotionally, politically, and spiritually. Yes, apparently the virus spreads mostly at houses of worship. This is why even though most churches have presented and initiated the most strict plans to operate that can be imagined, many governors have arbitrarily decided churches cannot meet. If they do meet then they must only worship with in certain prescription given by our benevolent rulers. Sure we can still read our Bibles,pray, and watch church at home. However, as a person that has attended church multiple times a week for over twenty years, it is not the same. In fact, a few weeks ago I struggled to attend online church: Despite an amazing online service it just seemed fake.

All of the above is so overwhelming that most of us have become numb to it. We pretend we will all get through this together, even though we are not together.  Even though we are about to be ripped apart by what the media constantly presents to us as a raging race, class and political ideological war. It is as if the media’s mantra is, “Burn baby, burn.” And for some of them, it is. You don’t even have to guess at their motive. They printed it in their premier publications as the 1619 project (1619 Project, NY Times),and awarded the author it’s highest honors, the Pulitzer Prize( 1619 Project Pulitzer Prize).Even as someone who knows the inaccuracy and the audacity of this hatred-filled document, I have to admit it has been successful. Just look at the ashes across the United States of America.

But, our great country is of the people, and by the people. We cannot eternally play the blame game. The personal attacks are becoming worse than ever. Social media is more like a school yard full of mean children. Anger is now burning up ties of family and friendship to a crisp. Probably the only way to salvage personal relationships is to unplug completely. Hopefully it will be more difficult to call each other names if we have to see the pain it causes splashed across each others’ faces.

However single driving factor of the fury is based an eternal truth placed in your heart by the Creator, the shedding of innocent blood. This is what finally, ignited the fire and allowed it to keep burning.

It is not an accident that we are disturbed by photos, audio, and video that shows what can only be interpreted as the destruction of the life of innocent people. None of us want anyone to fear being gunned down by neighbors while they are out on a run. None of us wants a single person to be killed while submitting to an arrest. It should scream through our souls that these are outright injustices. They are. And, we should want the perpetrators to face the just consequences through due process.

It is good and right to demand justice through legal means. What is interesting is that is exactly what is taking place. Everyone is horrified, everyone wants justice. Justice is currently working through the process. Yet the anger remains.

Why not the anger at governors who ordered elder homes to take in patients with the virus from the hospital? Please do not tell me they did not know it would kill elderly people (they sent extra body bags). Cuomo sent over 4,300 recovering Covid patients to nursing homes

Why not be angry that while all “non-emergency” and “elective” medical procedures being suspended, abortions continued–especially in black neighborhoods?(Planned Parenthood Targets Black Neighborhoods )Margret Sanger would be proud of her legacy of eugenics through Planned Parenthood. (Margaret Sanger and Eugenics)

Where is our angst against the Communist Party of China? Is it too hard to care about Hong Kong, Chinese Christians and human right activists, Uighar Muslims (The Fate of Uighur Muslims in China), and a virus that has had terrible world-wide consequences ? (China let 5 Million People Leave Wuhan ) How very convenient for China that our country is turning on itself at this time.

This is not to insinuate we should be more angry, it is a plea to get balanced. It is a gentle reminder, every life is precious and has purpose.

Why is there still so much anger?

The power of the story of one, such as Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, can be far reaching. We should all be horrified at their loss of life,and what their families are suffering. The grief has been multiplied by the endless replaying of their deaths. This is not to mention the hurt the rioting and looting, supposedly done in protest of their deaths, is causing their families and communities.

As we obsess over these ones are we forgetting the millions?

My faith in Christ demands an even approach. I do not suggest here that we do not follow what God has put in us to be passionate about. I believe there may be God-given reasons for one to personally care more about one situation than another. However, if we leave our passions unchecked, we will be part of the problem and not the solution.

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice . . .” Ephesians 4:31

Our focus on racism is diminishing our real need for moral fortitude based on the solid foundation of God’s Word. It is distracting from a deeper sin, the shedding of innocent blood, that is rampant around us through abortion, despicable actions by governors concerning nursing homes, the killing of George Floyd, and many others.

In the end, those who claim Christ should ask three questions: What is the purpose of my anger? How does God view the situation I am angry about? What would God have me do that will change things for the better?

Perhaps most important we should remember, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath; For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

Christians, there is enough fire in the world. It is time to throw some water on the fire. But, let us not make peace on false pretenses: Spraying just enough water to keep the fire at bay. This fire must drenched by the Living Water, Jesus Christ. Let us cleanse our own hearts before the Lord, and spread the good news of the gospel to every person. Finally, let us lead the way, fellow believers, in love for one another without preference or unnecessary division.

“Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”  Philippians 2:3