MEETING JESUS IN UNLIKELY PLACES:

A lesson from country music about bullies and bravery.

Everyone knows that when you’re on a road trip, the driver picks the music. And if you have ever been a passenger in my car, you know there’s a 90% chance we will be listening to Taylor Swift. It is what it is.

The only exception to this rule is when my kids are in the car, I will sometimes let them choose the music for part of the trip.

Braxton, my thirteen year old, is a big country music fan. Me and country music go together about as well as a vegan at a barbecue joint or your sweet and proper grandma partying at a rave. It’s fully out of place.

Things you’ll never catch me doing: riding a roller coaster, holding a snake, or willingly listening to Jason Aldean.

Which is why it caught me by surprise when I heard a country song with a message that had such a powerful impact on me that I was inspired to write a blog about it.

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I am married to a pastor. I write a blog about faith and Bible study. My entire world revolves around church, Jesus, and trying to make sure the way I live my life aligns with God’s will.

I say all that to make the point that I am ready and waiting to encounter Jesus at any moment in time. I expect to meet Jesus when I pray or serve at church or while I read my Bible in the evenings or when I write about a matter of faith that I am working through.

I did not expect to meet Jesus in a Morgan Wallen song. That’s about as unlikely as it gets for me.

The song I am referring to is called “Don’t Think Jesus” and it caught my attention because Wallen sings about how he's living a pretty rough lifestyle and that if he were Jesus, he would punish and cast away someone like him.

The chorus goes:

If I was Him, I'd say, "To hell with you, ain't no helping you"

"Find someone else to give Heaven to, I'm telling you"

I'd shame me, I'd blame me

I'd make me pay for my mistakes

But I don't think Jesus does it that way

The first time I heard this song, I lost it. It was just such a beautiful picture of the grace, love and forgiveness of Jesus.

This song is all about how Jesus does not operate the way we do. We are the ones who like to judge and condemn and throw stones. We are the ones who refuse to forgive one another. Not Jesus.

In the Gospel of John, we get the story of the woman caught in adultery who is brought to Jesus. The law says an adulteress is to be stoned to death, so the religious leaders ask Jesus, "how should she be dealt with?"

But we all know the story goes that Jesus invites anyone without sin to throw the first stone, which of course, excludes everyone, because no one is without sin. So, they all drop their stones and go home.

But what bothers me about that story is that it's the religious leaders that are so eager to throw stones. And I see that unfolding all around me today, as well. It seems that "Christians" are all too often the ones just chomping at the bit to throw stones. Or who enjoy standing on the sidelines, cheering on those who are doing the stone-throwing. When our calling is to do the very opposite.

Nowhere is this more apparent today than on social media, where Christians shame and judge people who see things differently than they do.

Not only that, they go so far as to say hateful and mean things, and to mock and insult others for their views. And the part that saddens me the most is when other Christians comment in support of and share and “like” these kinds of posts. They glorify and praise bullies. And perhaps even worse, they think this is funny…

It's bad enough when Christians do this. But when Christian companies get involved and start marketing to this crowd, it's inexcusable.

The reason I am acutely aware of this is because I have a Christian blog and I post things related to God and the Bible, so my social media feed tends to get a lot of Christian ads. Which is how I discovered “Brave Books” endorsed by Kirk Cameron and “The Tuttle Twins” and other “Christian” organizations that exist to fight against the “left’s woke agenda.” These are political books masquerading as Christian books for children.

Listen, it is totally fine if that’s how you want to raise your kids, by interweaving politics and America-first nationalism with your religious beliefs. Zero judgment from me on your political views or how you choose to raise your family.

What I do take issue with is companies like this trying to act as if they have "Christian values."

Again, it’s fine for you to speak your mind and air your opinions. We all have that right.

But there is a difference between standing up for your faith and advocating for what you believe to be right, and actively condemning and attacking and mocking those who don’t share your particular values.

And what is not fine, what is downright despicable and harmful, is to do that while standing on a Christian platform.

Rather than leading with love and understanding and seeking to be unified, like Jesus did, these companies lead by hurling insults and belittling their “adversaries.” And they do this because it’s effective and lucrative and their audience loves it.

Their Christian audience loves it.

“Brave Books” claim to be pro-God and pro-America. They talk about defending the family and claim they have “moral integrity.” But they put out hateful videos that only promote more division by making fun of people and stoking the flames of resentment that are already at an all-time high. And these books are for children.

And they call themselves a Christian company. Is it any wonder people are leaving church? Is it any wonder people think Christians are judgmental hypocrites?

It’s clear that some of these Christian organizations have forgotten that Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

And oh yeah, as if that’s not challenging enough, go love your enemies as well.

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While I feel certain that standing on a Christian platform mocking people and being downright hateful is not the way Jesus would do things, I don't know how to write about this without sounding judgy myself. I am taking a hard look at where I tend to be judgmental and trying to deal with that.

Because I do realize that while Kirk Cameron and his band of bullies are the ones being hateful and throwing stones, I am harboring resentment and judgment about their tactics in my heart. And Jesus cares a lot about what's going on in our hearts.

In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus tells the crowd, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment."

He does the same thing with adultery. He says that even looking at someone other than your spouse lustfully counts as adultery. What Jesus is saying is that what brews in your heart, if not kept in check, will eventually spill out of you. It’s poison.

So while I take a stand against Christian bullies, I want to make sure I don't cross the line into becoming a bully myself. But I also couldn’t say nothing. I couldn’t stand by and watch stones being thrown and not try to knock some of them down.

Which is why the end of Morgan Wallen’s song is my favorite part:

World likes to rear back and throw a few stones

So boy wants to throw a few stones of his own

But Lord knows I ain't perfect, and it ain't my place

And I don't think Jesus done it that way

Are y'all sure that Jesus done it that way?

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I'd like to end now with that same question for "Brave Books" and companies like it. I ask you and your supporters, do you think making fun of people is promoting Jesus's message of love? Do you think that's what Jesus meant by loving your enemies?

Do you really think Jesus would do it this way?

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