I think I am color blind!

 

I'm not color blind. At least I don't think I am color blind. But, there are times when I see a color differently than Stephanie does. Blues are the big color for me. It also happens to be my favorite color. I love NAVY BLUE. Yet, sometimes I can look at navy blue and I cannot tell if it is blue or BLACK. If I can lay something I know is black right next to that navy blue shirt, I can tell the difference. Purples and some blues are the same way. I just can't see it correctly. So, I am partially deaf and now I can probably say I am partially color-blind. So, it is normal for me to look at something and call it green but it my really be gray. 

Trust me, I have not spent a lot of time contemplating how I view colors, but in the world today, I have trouble understanding someone else's perspective. Just like people have different views of color. My intent is not to offend anyone when I say this, but I just cannot understand how people can view Charlie Kirk as the enemy. You can judge me if you wish, but I have watched hours and hours of Charlie Kirk, long interviews, short interviews, snipets, memes, you name it. I refuse to judge someone by the words of someone else. I need to hear it for myself. I cannot count the number of times I heard him proclaim the gospel message to his audience or to kids on college campuses. AND being a pastor, I listened carefully to make sure the message was pure. As far as I can tell it was. I have heard him called a false teacher. I listened, I say the consistency of his message. I watched to see if his life was lived differently than he proclaimed. FROM MY PERSECTIVE his teaching was truth. Was he PERFECT? NO. I heard him say some cringe worthy things. I have even caught myself saying some things I wished I had not. I found myself on occasion saying, "Man I wish he hadn't said that." But his message consistently included the same gospel that I preach from the pulpit every Sunday. 

These thoughts made me think of this scripture passage;

"John said to Jesus, 'Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group.' 'Don't stop him!' Jesus said, 'No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.'" (Mark 9:38-41, NLT)

Charlie Kirk was NOT AGAINST US as followers of Jesus. 

I know I am seeing this different than so many people. But, if those people that hate Charlie Kirk are right, would Jesus have stopped him? Did he ever spew blasphemy, disparage the Holy Spirit, speak against what is spoken in scripture. If he did, I have not seen it. Honestly, I am trying to see navy blue, but I need to look at it against something black. I'm sorry, I love you, but I just can't see your side. I want to but my eyes are different. Scripture is my comparison, it is my rock, it is the only thing I can say for sure is real and true. I weigh it all against the word of the Lord. Most civil people will never cross the line to kill the person they disagree with, RIGHT? Or is that something else I just can't see? Vehemently disagree, that's ok. Condemn me as your enemy, ok! But what did Jesus say about our enemies? He said we were to love them. Hmm. I wish we all could SEE THAT PERSPECTIVE. 

There are so many people in this world under the burden, under the yoke of slavery. They are bound by a perspective I just cannot understand. The burden, the desperation, the hopelessness that drives people to kill someone created in the image of God is something I just can't grasp. I am blind to that perspective. But I KNOW A GUY who understands and is ready to provide REAL FREEDOM.

"They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor's rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire." (Isaiah 9:3-5, NLT)

Israel was burdened, they bore a heavy yoke in exile and they were oppressed by their captors. Jesus the coming Messiah was their hope. JESUS IS OUR HOPE! That is what this scripture is all about. Jesus is the ONLY one who can see ALL THE COLORS of the rainbow. He knows the real heart of Charlie Kirk. He knows the real hearts of all men. I do not condemn Charlie Kirk. I have seen and heard his message and it was the SAME GOSPEL MESSAGE I PREACH. I mourn his loss as a warrior in the battle for the hearts and minds of our nation. The battle is real and Charlie was a casualty of that war.  

Coming to Jesus, repenting of our sins, acknowledging what he did on the cross, dying for our sins, and committing to live for him, will clear your vision. You will gain a very different perspective and the HOLY SPIRIT will come and fill you with HIS MESSAGE OF HOPE. If you want to do that today, PRAY to him, the one who understands ALL PERSPECTIVES, who sees ALL COLORS. 

If you did that today, text the word "Faith" to this phone number (765)-896-4302. I would love to partner with you in your walk of faith.