May We Find Christ

Forgiven Art Print by Greg Olsen

When you cut Jesus out of the equation, peace will not be available to solve it

Just hours before her husband was assassinated, Erika Kirk, posted the following scripture today.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

• Psalm 46:1

What a beautiful reminder of God’s power in these dark times.

We always seem to point to the symptoms of our hurting nation but never take time to stop and look at the root cause. We don't look at the root cause because it will make people upset. It will make people say, “you’re pushing your religion onto me.” It will require a change of heart and mind for those who actually want to see a stop to this violence.

Despite all of that, it is the only thing that can save our world in the face of so much evil.

Are you ready for it?

Our nation has lost sight of God. That is the root cause of all the violence we have seen.

When you cut Jesus out of the equation, peace will not be available to solve it.

As one nation under God, we no longer collectively look to Him and to our Savior, Jesus Christ for how we should live and treat those who live around us. 

We look to the government to save us, to make changes, to help in times of need and are constantly disappointed when they can't deliver in the ways only Christ can.

If we continue making the government our Savior, it will never bring us the peace and resolutions to our problems like our actual Savior, Jesus Christ will.

The real answer to how we stop these crimes is by living a life where we walk in the path of Jesus Christ: 

We follow his example. We seek to help others along the way. We treat others with kindness. We graciously agree to disagree with those who think differently than us. We work to see, lift and help those around us.

Jesus prayed for everyone. Jesus disagreed graciously. Jesus helped those around Him. Jesus maintained humility and fostered a relationship with His Father in Heaven. He used Godly power to make the world a better place.

Do we try to live after this manner day to day?

LOOKING IN THE MIRROR

If this made you upset to read, that means it's time for self-reflection. This problem doesn’t go away from being upset at the mention of God. This problem clearly doesn't go away by fighting amongst each other or depending solely on our government leaders. This problem will be solved when we choose to humble ourselves before God and seek for his will over our own. 

Forgetting God is what is deeply wrong with America right now and I’m not afraid to say it. We all need Jesus, and we need Him right now.

What happened to Charlie Kirk isn’t because of his political stances.

What happened to Iryna Zarutska isn’t because she chose to come to America.

What happened to Julie Schnuelle isn’t because of her decision to go for a walk that day.

What happened to those students in Denver isn’t because they chose to go to school.

What happened in Minnesota isn’t just because a person got access to a firearm.

These events were not a result of the reasons everyone seems to point their fingers to.

These thoughts may be the many symptoms of the problem but at the root of each of these issues, it’s because this country, its leaders, its citizens have completely lost sight of God.

Hate is what is in sight for leaders and citizens of this nation rather than God. Prejudice is what is in sight rather than God. Greed is what is in sight rather than God. Anger is what is in sight rather than God. Wanting to be right is what is in sight rather than God. Those are currently the focuses of people in America and around the world today and have been for far too long.

If you celebrated these acts of violence even a little bit, that is not including Christ in the equation.

If you are upset about the number of people choosing to post about one horrific event over another, that is not including Christ in the equation.

If you cared about the politics, gender, race or personal affiliation of the victims in any of these hate crimes, that is not including Christ in the equation.

If you didn’t mourn with those who have felt upset and chose to say, "I told you so," that is not including Christ in the equation.

We have all been guilty of these moments of forgetting God. We have all been guilty of trying to be right rather than coming together. No matter how imperfect we have been at this we need to change, and we need to change right now.

HOW DO WE BE THE CHANGE?

Every day you have breath in your body, you wake up and decide what you believe, why you believe it and how you will act because of what you believe. Once you make that decision, you don’t get to choose the consequence that may follow those actions. The consequence of cutting God out of the picture is what we have been seeing for many years. Violence, anger, hatred and a continuation of these awful occurrences.

The events of violence that have taken place in just this month alone as well as many more leading up to today is a wakeup call that we have lost our way from God. We have lost our way from Jesus Christ.

You want to make a change? Start with yourself and those you impact on a daily basis:

• Start by praying to your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. 

  • Pray for those who have been affected by the violent acts of recent days. 

  • Pray for the leaders of our nation to be guided by God to find solutions to the increase in these horrible events.

  • Pray for your heart to grow in love and charity for those who think differently than you.

  • Pray to know how you can serve those in your family and those around you.

• Get into the scriptures to learn of Jesus Christ.

  • Read the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, General Conference Talks, Devotionals, etc.

  • Get into the scriptures every day and learn about Jesus Christ. Learn about the character of God and build a relationship with them.

• Think of one kind deed a day and do it.

  • Think of those you know well and what their needs are. How can you help meet one of those needs today? Think of those you don’t know well in your community. What can you do to help them know they are not alone and that there is goodness in Jesus Christ?

• Pause before you respond in tough situations.

  • When you feel offended by something someone says or if you come across people who believe differently than you, remember it is okay to disagree. Take a moment to think of what you are going to say and how it will be received by the other person. If a conversation isn’t rooted in respect for all people involved, the conversation shouldn’t be happening.

You may not believe it, but our only solution to fighting against this hate is rooting ourselves in love. Rooting ourselves in the promises of Christ. In becoming more and more like Him each day. May we all find Christ. May we all seek His grace. May we all live to lift each other up rather than tear each other down.