It’s time to follow the red letters
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Dear Editor, in my humble and loving opinion,
This will be my final opinion piece for a while. I’ve decided to step back and reflect on how we, as a community, engage with one another.
It seems like we as Americans have become quick to label one another in ways that deepen division instead of fostering understanding. Just as some Democrats unfairly label Republicans as uncaring or bigoted, many Republicans brand Democrats as “woke” in a derogatory way. These labels have become flashpoints, distracting us from addressing real issues and building connections.
Let me be clear: I don’t believe all Republicans are uncaring or bigoted, just as I don’t believe all Democrats are self-righteous or naive. We are more than these stereotypes.
Instead of getting caught up in the politics of these labels, let’s take a moment to consider what “woke” truly means. The term originally came from African-American communities and simply meant being “awake” to injustices like racism and inequality.
Over time, it grew to include standing against all forms of unfairness, whether it’s about race, gender, poverty, or other social issues. Sadly, the term has been politicized and twisted into something divisive. But when we look deeper, we may find that the values behind it align closely with the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus consistently reached out to those in need – the poor, the sick, women, and those considered outcasts. He defended the powerless, showed compassion to the neglected and stood firmly against injustice. For example, He protected a woman accused of adultery from being stoned (John 8:1-11), spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well despite cultural taboos (John 4) and praised the faith of a Roman centurion, someone outside the Jewish community (Matthew 8:5-13).
Jesus reminded us to love our neighbors, even those we might consider enemies, and taught us to show kindness to anyone in need, as illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
Jesus also stood against greed and exploitation, overturning the tables of the money changers in the temple to defend the sacredness of worship (Matthew 21:12-13). He continually challenged religious leaders who prioritized rules over people, calling them out for their hypocrisy.
If being “woke” means standing for justice, compassion and fairness, then Jesus’ ministry exemplifies it perfectly.
But this is about more than any label. Jesus calls us to live beyond our own interests and to care for others with humility, generosity and love. These values, found in the red letters of the Bible, are timeless and transformative. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His heart and mission to serve others.
I understand the importance of balancing budgets and cutting wasteful spending. However, we cannot lose sight of the values we hold dear in caring for everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us.
Both the right and the left must come together to find common ground and compromise, working together to keep America the beacon of light, hope and democracy that it has always been. We all believe in the “Pledge of Allegiance” and its promise of “liberty and justice for all.”
As for me, I stand with the Lamb and not the donkey or elephant. When I stand before God and answer for how I cared for His people, I want to be able to say that I did my best to care for the least among us. Did you? Were your actions driven by self-interest, protecting only what benefited you personally, or did you act with compassion, seeking to lift up the least among us? Did you fight for justice and fairness, or did you remain silent when others were in need?
Jesus summed up the greatest commandments when He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:36-40). These words should guide us in how we live and how we treat one another.
So yes, I am your “woke” neighbor – a chaser after Jesus’ heart and mission to serve others – and someone who will continue to pray for my family, friends, our president, our nation, our community, and the world. I will pray for those who are hurting, those in need and those making tough decisions for our future.
Imagine how different our world could be if we all followed Jesus’ example. What if we focused less on arguing about labels and more on helping those in need, speaking up for what is right and treating one another with kindness and respect?
Lastly, watch how you speak of others who may not fully agree with you. Take the time to listen and not judge. This is how we will begin to heal as the United States of America. Stop using hateful words and quick, thoughtless memes on your social media that only promote more division. Instead, seek to understand, show love and bridge the gaps that divide us.
For now, I’ll be stepping back to reflect on how I can live out these principles more fully in my own life. But now it’s your turn. It’s your turn to act more like Jesus – help those in need, show compassion and speak up against injustices when you see them. Together, we can make the world a better place by embodying His love and living the values He taught us.
Sincerely,
Lynne Taylor
Rockford, Ala.
