Have You Heard About the Walkaway Movement?

Four months have passed since my last post, and Christians are even more divided over politics than they were in November. Did you know there’s something called “the walkaway movement”? I didn’t until a friend told me about it recently. Apparently, some Christians are being told by their pastors to walk away from those who don’t agree with their political stance. Really?! If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I have a policy of not discussing politics there or on other social media platforms. That policy continues. But I feel the need to speak up today, so I’ll do it here on my blog. I’m sure it will generate comments both pro and con. So, comment away.

I’ve been asked, “What do you believe? Where do you stand?”
Well . . . here’s my answer.

Following the 2020 election, there were Christians who disagreed about whether the election was fair or rigged. The issue spilled into churches. I watched one church service online in which the pastor urged parishioners to put on the armor of God and stand and fight against the evil that prevails in our country today. Okay, that made sense. But the pastor went on to name specific people on the “left” whom he thought were evil. He suggested if the church prayed for them at all, it should pray that they fail. Another pastor who blogs frequently compared evangelical leaders to parents teaching their children to smoke dope. He also used names like “turkeys” and “dogs” to describe those on the left. (Explain to me, please, how this is different from Hillary’s “basket of deplorables” comment.) His posts are accusing, judging. No wonder the body of Christ is so divided! The messages from some of our Christian leaders are driving us apart. And those messages are being passed around on social media further adding to the division.

Whether or not the 2020 election was rigged is a matter of opinion, and my thoughts about that will remain personal. But if we were to disagree does that mean we should “walk away” from each other because we have different opinions? Is that what Jesus would tell us to do? I can’t predict for sure what He would say, but He was most harsh with the Pharisees who stood on street corners proclaiming their righteousness. And He was angry when He drove the merchants out of God’s house, His temple. Otherwise, Jesus welcomed sinners and talked with them (the woman at the well, for example). Jesus spoke calmly, He reasoned and He taught. I don’t recall reading in the Bible that He pointed His finger in anger accusing them of their sins. The only name calling He did was when He called the Pharisees “offspring of vipers.”

I was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin. During the civil unrest there last summer, an independent journalist livestreamed on Facebook conversations on the street. Some conversations were accusatory, angry. Others were constructive. I listened as two women calmly discussed their differences. At the end of the conversation, one woman said to the other, “You’ve given me something to think about.” The other said, “You’ve given me things to think about, too.” And (COVID aside) these two strangers hugged. There was no finger pointing, no accusations. They agreed to disagree and were open to exploring each other’s ideas. I believe this is the way it should be. Jesus said, “Love one another”. Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Would He say that to us today? I don’t know. But God knows.

On the matter of calling some on the “left” evil and suggesting the church pray for them to fail:
There’s the idea that the “fruits of their labor”don’t align with Christian teaching and an assumption that these people are inherently evil because of their fruits. (Yes, I know, Matthew 7.) But—isn’t God the only One who knows their hearts? Instead of praying for these people to fail, how about praying that their relationship with God would be strengthened? Pray for God to lead them into agreement with HIM rather than into agreement with YOU.

I believe that everyone no matter how “evil” is capable, and worthy, of reconciliation and redemption. Take Saul, for instance. Persecutor of Christians. Wanted them dead. Reconciled to God on the Road to Damascus. Redeemed. God called Ananias, who was well informed of Saul’s evil ways, to baptize and care for Saul. Could God have led an angry army of believers to Saul, pointing their fingers and accusing him of his sin. Sure. But, instead, God sent Ananias to bring healing. Isn’t this what we should do? Focus on healing? Focus on leading others to reconciliation and salvation?

Without even knowing it, I guess I’ve been on the receiving end of the walkaway movement.
Someone I know questioned whether I was really a Christian because I don’t “like” or comment on right-leaning political posts on social media. I’ve been described as a “Pollyanna” because I’m hopeful. A friend told me, “You need to think more realistically. Open your eyes to what’s happening!”

My eyes are open. I stay informed. But instead of focusing my attention mostly on what’s happening in Washington, I choose to set my sight on the only true God Who is more than able, in a heartbeat, to change what’s happening in the world today. I believe God’s plans are far greater than we can comprehend. I don’t put all my faith in the predictions of modern-day prophets or rely on the “truths” offered in the media. I believe the real truth is the truth I find in scripture. When God speaks to me He speaks His truth specifically to me and about the path He wants me to take. I try not to meddle in God’s business with others. The future of our country and the world is in His hands.

Where do I stand?
• I stand for what I believe is right according to scripture. I stand in support of what I believe is right, but I don’t have to share with you how I provide that support.
• I try to view people separate from their policies and politics. I do my best to bring about unity instead of adding to the division.
• I stay hopeful. I stay positive.
• I try to live in ways pleasing to God, but, just like everyone else, I fall far short. When I mess up, God forgives me.

And while some might decide to walk away from me because I won’t stand in agreement with their ideas, God will never walk away from me. That’s what matters most to me—that I’m right with Him. So, if you need to walk away that’s fine. It’s your choice. My prayers will continue that, one day, regardless of our political views we will be reconciled with each other because we are His, not because we were on the right, the left or somewhere in between.

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Election 2020. Victory or Defeat?

My mother once told me, “Every morning I pray, ‘Lord, Thy will be done’ and every night I say ‘Thank You’”. She died in 1999, but I carry her words with me always.

Mom had a quiet spirit. She was an observer, and through her observations she grew strong in her faith. She understood that God’s thoughts are much greater than ours, and when he answers no to our prayers it’s because He has a greater and better plan. I’ve wondered what she would have thought of the months leading to the presidential election. She would have an opinion, certainly, about which candidate she thought should win. Still, I think she would have prayed, “Lord, Thy will be done”.

I’m like my mother, an observer. While on Facebook, in the weeks leading to the election, I was criticized for not sharing my political views on social media: Some thought I was too quiet about my politics, not active enough, not working hard enough to make America better for the future of its children. Maybe I wasn’t even “Christian” enough for not speaking up for the candidate I thought God would want America to choose. But instead of adding my opinions to the lot on social media, I had decided to do what I think my mother would have done. I read and considered what others posted, and I prayed. Like everyone else, I preferred one candidate over the other and I prayed in that regard, but I ended each prayer echoing my mother’s words, “Thy will be done.”

“Prayer is good, but action is better,” someone told me.

(I believe it’s the other way around. Action comes as a result of prayer.) Some of you reading this will say, “If we don’t act, things won’t change.” And that’s true. Christians should stand up and fight for what they believe is right; however, action comes in different forms. In First Corinthians Paul writes about the body of Christ having many parts. Some Christians act as the arms and legs, energized and interacting with others; others act as the eyes and ears, quietly observing, listening, meditating and praying. Both bring value to the body.

Acting as an observer, I saw Christians on social media taking sides, arguing over what they thought Jesus would do. I saw a photo in which a banner stretched across the side of a bus in a church parking lot: JESUS WOULD SUPPORT THE GREEN NEW DEAL. Another photo of a woman holding a sign: I TRUST IN TRUMP (AND GOD, TOO). Christians posted their political opinions, they argued, dissenting opinions were deleted or blocked, friendships broke, Christians stood divided. Election night came and went and a winner was declared. Some people cheered, others said the election was unfair. And the chaos on social media went on.

In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul continues, “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”  

The 2020 election divided the body of Christ. We became so focused, in mind and thought, on who might be President that we made him more important than the One who is King. We spoke up for our candidate, worked for him, and prayed for victory. We pled our case before God, even suggesting we knew what His Son might have done if He were here . . . . and God answered. Maybe He answered your prayers with yes, or maybe no. Maybe you are elated that Joe Biden won, feeling defeated because Donald Trump lost, or still hoping or dreading that the election will be overturned.

If my mother were alive, she might have celebrated a Biden win or been disappointed when Trump lost, but either way, she would have thanked God because whether we win or lose here on earth, everything God does results in a victory. He always wins. God acts according to His will, nothing happens apart from it—and that deserves our thanks.

We all want a better America for our children and grandchildren, but we disagree about what that America looks like. We can continue to let that divide us or we can turn to God and ask Him to heal and unite us. We are the body of Christ, children in the family of God, and Jesus said,

“A family cannot last if it is divided against itself” (Mark 3:25).

Yes, if we don’t act, things won’t change. But, the best action we can take right now is to be humble, apologize to each other for allowing our opinions and politics to divide us, and pray asking God to heal us and bring us into reconciliation with Him and each other.

“Lord, your thoughts are greater than our thoughts. Your ways our greater than our ways. Bring us together again. Guide our thoughts into alignment with Yours. Lead us according to Your will.  Forgive us when our thoughts slip from You to worldly things. Unite us as brothers and sisters in Christ. We praise You. We thank You.
Thy will be done. Amen.”

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Are You Being Led by the Beautiful Side of Evil?

I don’t often post here on “God Is in the Compost Pile”. Maybe I should. Like many of you I have strong opinions about what I believe to be true, and some of those opinions might be worth sharing. During the past six months, I’ve had conflicting thoughts about the state of our country and the world. There’s one thought, though, that hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s grown more steady through the rise of COVID, politics and civil unrest. Maybe the Lord is leading me to share it with you, so I will.

Back in March when the pandemic began, the Lord set in my heart Matthew 7:15:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (NKJV)

According to John Gill’s commentary, Jesus was referring  to the “Pharisees, who would have been thought to have been holy and righteous, humble, modest, and self-denying men; when they were inwardly full of hypocrisy and iniquity, of rapine, oppression, and covetousness; and, under a pretense of religion, ‘devoured widows’ houses’”.

As I’ve prayed these past few months and the Lord kept setting Matthew 7:15 on my heart, He also reminded me of a book I read years ago when I was a baby Christian, The Beautiful Side of Evil. The book’s message was that Satan can easily lead well-meaning Christians down his path without them being aware. What appears on the surface as good and true might mask something evil, a diversion perhaps from the truth.

Today, we Christians find ourselves seriously divided. We argue with each other about candidates, political platforms, social issues and even about whether a fellow sister or brother in the body of Christ is a true believer. Here’s something the Lord led me to think about: Does divisiveness please God, or does it please the enemy?

How did we get to this place of division?

One thought I’ve had is social media. It’s easy to see a post I agree with and hit share. But, I’ve learned to ask myself, “Are you sharing the truth?” Unless I can prove without a doubt that what I share is true, then I’m spreading rumors and gossip. Does that please God—or does it please the enemy?

Here’s something else God put on my heart: In church am I led to form my own opinions based on scripture? The beautiful side of evil can lead even pastors unknowingly in a direction not backed solidly by God’s Word. I don’t intend to disrespect pastors here or suggest they don’t know whereof they preach. I’m just suggesting that we Christians take the teaching one step further by studying how sermons and their related scriptures fit in context not only with one chapter or book in the Bible but also into the whole of God’s Word. Solid teaching brings God’s people together. It doesn’t lead to division.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul writes:

“I want them (those in the Church) to be strengthened and joined together with love so that they may be rich in their understanding. This leads to their knowing fully God’s secret, that is, Christ himself. In him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are safely kept. I say this so that no one can fool you by arguments that seem good, but are false.” (Colossians 2:2–3  NCV)

Lately, we’ve been hit with so much information about so many things. Opinions are strong. Arguments sound good—but are they true?

I think the most important things we can do right now as Christians are to seek the truth through prayer, study God’s Word, and make sure any “truth” we share is set on solid facts.

According to Jesus, our goal should be to share the gospel and lead others to Him. That doesn’t happen if we contribute to division. Something more to think about: Is leading others toward agreeing with our own opinions more important than leading others to Christ?

The apostle John, the Evangelist, wrote:

Be sure you continue to follow the teaching you heard from the beginning. If you continue to follow what you heard from the beginning, you will stay in the Son and in the Father. (1 John 2:24 NCV)

One final thing to consider: Are you following the teaching you heard from the beginning, or are you following a new version of the Truth?

All I’m suggesting here is that you give some thought to the beautiful side of evil. Ask yourself whether or not you are being led down the right path. The answer is a personal issue between you and God.

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