I am wading into some murky water
here. Anytime a pastor addresses a hot button issue, there is risk of an
argument. Recognizing the danger, I ask you this: if I hit one of your buttons,
come talk with me. Dialogue is a lost art. Even if we don't agree on the
best path forward in these troubled times, we can rise above name-calling,
oversimplifications and demonizing. Sound good? Ok, let’s get started.
I’ve been thinking long, hard and
pastorally about what happened in Parkland, Florida a few weeks ago. It’s what
I do. I’m a post-processor. So I reflect before I comment on anything. It’s why
you rarely see me contribute to online discussions, or make grand public pronouncements.
So many voices are speaking by the time I form my opinion, and I usually let
them carry the conversation.
But not today.
Today, I am weary of the banter
about school shootings. How one side says, “Lack of gun control is to blame!”
To which another group replies, “No, guns are fine, mental health is the
culprit!” Then there are those pointing to shattered family dynamics, or others
who believe social isolation as the true cause. It’s a complete maelstrom of
opinions. But rather than see the veracity in opposing views, each group’s
proponents try talk over each other. It’s one giant yelling match to narrow the
tragedy down to one central factor.
I ask you, why does something like
the Parkland shooting have to be about a single element? To me, all these
factors played a role, albeit in varying degrees. But it’s not good enough for
people to acknowledge the immense complexity of a problem, is it? Instead, when
one side doesn’t have their view triumph, they choose not to listen, or they drop
out of the dialogue (or lack thereof) and nothing happens. It means the effects
of the tragedy, the broken lives, the screams of the victims and the horrific
images slowly slide out of the public consciousness. Until the next crisis, of
course.
Does it
have to be this way? I don’t think so. What we are seeing is one giant knot of
a problem, and to untie a massive knot, what do you do? You have to work numerous
strands. I would say each one of us sees one small part of the knot. So what if
we addressed the cause/strand that’s nearest and dearest to our hearts? People simultaneously working on these
factors can’t help but lead to good results.
Common sense gun control can help reduce access to assault weapons.
Increased Mental Health access will reach people who are at a breaking point.
Reaching out to children from broken families can promote good growth and
development, and finding ways to authentically connect with others outside of
social media and technology can end social isolation.
I know
some of you recoiled after I mentioned reducing access to Assault Weapons. So
let me say, I am not talking about removing all guns. Yet, we do have to lessen
our reliance on them. Scripture tells us repeatedly that violence and weapons
aren’t the answer. Instead, we are called by the Spirit to work towards peace
(Matthew 5:9) and help bring forth the Kingdom of God, a place the prophet
Isaiah says is “Where swords are hammered into plowshares, and spears into
pruning hooks,” (Isaiah 2:4). So if we want to live it now, as Christ calls us
to do, it means our resources going towards lessening the hold of instruments
of destruction, and replacing them with tools that grow life. That’s our call
as believers. We work to reduce violence by loving our enemies, praying for
those who persecute us, and turning the other cheek when we are hit (see all of
Matthew 5).
It’s not an easy persuit, but it’s
what we are supposed to do. And simultaneously addressing all the causes behind
parkland helps us get there. So which cause are you drawn to? Because now it’s
time to act. Here are some things to do if you feel so led (and I pray you do):
1)
Don’t demonize people who believe in other
causes- Methodism’s founder, John Wesley, once said “Don’t let your souls
be sharpened towards people who believe differently.” It’s sound advice. Do not
demonize any of the other factors. Instead, become a staunch advocate for your
own.
2)
Call your elected representatives –Tell
our leaders you want more funding for mental health if that is your cause, or
that we need to support efforts to clean up social media so kids don’t get too
isolated, etc. Your voice should guide your official. And if it doesn’t, vote
for someone who listens next election. It’s the benefits of living in a
democracy. Use it!
3)
Find and support an organization that
addresses your cause- A simple google search will bring up hundreds of
possibilities. If you would like some organizations that operate in our area,
I’d be happy to give you a list. North Range Behavioral health in Greeley is
one of the better mental health groups in the state. They offer a Mental Health
911 class that is fabulous and they welcome volunteers to help. Then you have
ministries like Kids Hope that exist in our own church. We work with difficult
kids in our area. We show them love they often aren’t getting at home. There
are plenty more in the realm of gun control, social media addition, etc. Your
influence in one or more of these areas could be something that helps someone
not walk down a path of violence!
4)
Pray- Keep connected to the Spirit. For
prayer continually orients you to the path you should take, while empowering
your for the journey.
That’s our call. So let’s live it!
Now I’ll end with a bit of my own pastoral opinion. The only
thing I believe we cannot do to prevent tragedies like Parkland is advocate for
more weapons. Hear me again, I’m not saying we should not have guns. I’m simply
saying arming teachers or reducing current gun restrictions so there are more
out in public are not the way to go. It will only increase avenues for people
to harm one another and make it easier for precious lives to be taken. I’m all
for people responsibly using firearms, but this sort of scenario strikes me as
the polar opposite of that.
I could be wrong. So if you believe this, let’s talk. I’d
love to hear how your faith informs your decision and what we could do together
to improve this quagmire we find ourselves in. I know I sound naïve in saying
it, but school shootings and gun violence doesn’t have to be a problem if we
choose. Why don’t we work together with each other and God to find that way?
Blessings
to you, my friends. Thanks for listening.
In
Christ,
Pastor
Bryson
