Cancel Culture
We find ourselves in quite the cultural “movements”. One of them is called “cancel culture”. This is an unforgiving act of canceling someone because they don’t agree with you politically or offend you in some way. In our current climate it’s pretty easy to see offended people. It happens on social media and our news is full of political offenses and national offenses and personal offenses. I sound like I’m an NFL referee! Someone close to me just had a good friend “cut” her out of her life without apparent reason or explanation. It hurt and was meant to. This person was unfriended, or removed, from friend social media. It’s a mean streak set up to “hurt” or offend those who have somehow hurt or offended. Communication is not always necessary, and it’s often done on social media so others are treated to the offense and also asked to jump in and “cancel” the offending party. At times the offender is required to apologize and get on board with the morality bandwagon of the offended. If no apology is forthcoming or, the offense is not communicated for the benefit of the offendee, they are then cut or cancelled from media friendships. The message then obviously carries over into the physical friendship, if there was one. Not much says or spreads wickedness quite like “cancel culture”. Satan is having himself a field day at our human expense.
“Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.”
- Daniel 12:10 NASB
I think of all the things that disrupt us, cause stress, bring turmoil and heartache and I pray for those who cannot pardon. We, being made in the image of our creator, given so much, really feel the need to count our offenses? Are we that gifted, that perfect that we can so carelessly judge others? I think of the hope that Jesus came to give us. Hope, not only for an abundant life but also for an eternal life, minus tears and mourning. This world, however, is far from perfect and until Jesus returns, will not see perfection. Why must we cause more problems for each other and ourselves?! (Sorry, I have to ask.) I reflect on the kind of friend Jesus was to His followers. He did not cut or “cancel” them from His life. He had some pretty good reasons to be perplexed, annoyed and offended. He was misunderstood, questioned, unwisely corrected and counseled and betrayed. With patience, love, and forgiveness He guided 12 fairly naive and unworldly men into a world changing, never before experienced, small and big stage, earth shattering event. The coming and presence of God dwelling and then dying among us.
“When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”
- Matthew 7:28-29 NASB
Jesus came to spread hope. Hope in something beyond ourselves that the work of our hands could not give us. The world thinks it’s all about us. But the world does not care who it tramples in self righteous pursuits. Jesus went after the “one” lost sheep to demonstrate that each of His count. The world wants us to follow fads and news and worldly wisdom, including the canceling of persons who offend us. Jesus wants us to lean on Him and trust in God’s wisdom. He wants us to, not only laugh WITH our fellow humans, but also to cry WITH them. Not AT them. AND, forgive those who offend us. Forgive those who offend you. Cancel what? Cancel anger. Cancel hatred and vengeance and the self pity that is a trap. Cancel resentment and entitlement and dominance. Cancel the media’s current hype on what is offensive. For guidance request the help of the Holy Spirit. Don’t have Him yet? Pray for guidance. Pray for truth. Open the Bible. Read “The Jesus I never Knew”, by Philip Yancey or “Mere Christianity”, by C.S. Lewis. (There are many good start books!) Contact a pastor who’s church is all about meeting and following Jesus (bible based). Love your neighbor. Love yourself and come to the realization that absolutely no created human is perfect. Yourself included, which should cause you to feel relief. Lastly, forgive with your whole heart. 
“”If you would direct your heart right And spread out your hand to Him, If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents; “Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect, And you would be steadfast and not fear. “For you would forget your trouble, As waters that have passed by, you would remember it. “Your life would be brighter than noonday; Darkness would be like the morning. “Then you would trust, because there is hope; And you would look around and rest securely. “You would lie down and none would disturb you, And many would entreat your favor. “But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And there will be no escape for them; And their hope is to breathe their last.””
Job 11:13-20 NASB
https://www.bible.com/100/job.11.13-20.nasb
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