I have 3,000 friends on Facebook. 3,000! That's nuts. (I'm basically a small celebrity)
However, over the past 24 hours, there has seemed to be this trend where my friends have posted their opinions and, as a result, have been deleted or deleted anyone who might oppose that opinion. In fact, most people have ended their posts with "feel free to delete me if you disagree."
I, however, will absolutely not. In fact...
I won’t ever delete you.
- You, the one who is posting constantly about how this election has been corrupt and voter fraud is being covered up.
- You, the one who is outraged at the riot yesterday, claiming more arrests should have been made and comparing it to the George Floyd riots.
- You, the one who hates Democrats and thinks they are all delusional and lazy.
- You, the one who hates Republicans and thinks they are rich snobs that control everything.
- You, the one who shouts, “Donald Trump!” and, “Blue Lives Matter!”
- You, the one who shouts, “Joe Biden!” and, “Black Lives Matter!”
Why?
Why won’t I delete you?
A few reasons:
- You have a good point.
There is a reason that you believe what you do. You have come to this conclusion and you can probably make some strong arguments for why you believe that. I want to hear those arguments, and I want to learn from you - not delete you lol. I want to ask you more questions. I want to see through the world through your eyes. Proverbs 27 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” I want to discuss this further with you because it means that we will both become sharper at the end of that conversation!
At the core of it, isn’t that what learning and wisdom is all about?
2) It’s too easy.
When I was a kid, I used to see those commercials of starving kids in Africa - and I would always turn the channel because it made me feel bad. However - just because I turned the channel - it didn’t mean that these kids weren’t there anymore. They were still there, they were still hungry - but I just couldn’t see it anymore. If I can’t see it - it’s not a problem, right?
Me deleting you is like changing the channel - pretending like you aren’t here. It’s me pretending that your opinion doesn’t matter because I can’t see it. I refuse to act like my viewpoint is the only viewpoint on any issue. I refuse to not see the holes in my own arguments and neglect the other side of the issue. You bring that to the table. It’s too easy to delete you and pretend. I want to keep you and be challenged.
3) I care more about you than your politics.
Your beliefs and your politics can change. In fact, I’d dare say that your beliefs and your politics should change. But YOU? You are way bigger than politics.
You are awesome. You are funny. You have a kind heart. You are smart. You are skilled. You have a ton of wisdom in a certain field. You are talented. You have a purpose. You matter to other people in this world. You were created by God and made in His image - and He sent His son to die for you. You matter to God - and you absolutely matter to me. I care way more about Jesus and His kingdom than I do about politics that cause way more division than anything else.
I get it. We disagree. That’s a good thing. Let’s continue to disagree and iron out what we believe and why we believe it. Some of the greatest friends in my life are the ones who had the guts to call me out on stuff and challenged me when I was in the wrong. It would have been so much easier for them to cut me out and drop me - but they stayed - and they helped me get where I am today.
I refuse to end the relationship/friendship I have with you over two old men named Joe and Don who will never even know my name. Honestly, I’d rather hang out with you over those guys any day (let’s be real).
Friends, don’t buy into the hype of us versus them. Don’t let Satan get in between us and separate us more than what we already are. Let us love each other even when times are difficult and tensions are high. At the end of the day, let us be known not by our politics or stance - but our compassion and our love.
And if, for some reason, you were offended by this blog/post…
You can just delete me ;)
32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. - Luke 6:32-36
