As indicated in the above cartoons, you can see the word “resistance,” means more than just one thing. There’s the kind of resistance we have to change, that pulls at us and causes us to become squeamish. There’s the resistance exercises people do in order to strengthen a certain part of the body. There is a political resistance which has created some real problems over the course of history. It has also been used for good. The scientific aspect of resistance is something I know nothing about, so I’ll leave that to the likes of my friend Mark at hatrack4.
When we resist change, we’re often tied tightly to the past and tradition. There’s nothing wrong with traditions, because they often identify who we are and where we come from. When we put those traditions at the forefront of our thinking, however, we become very resistant to change. I’m thinking about the Reformation here. Martin Luther certainly didn’t realize that his 95 theses would change the church the way it did. He had no way of knowing that more and more denominations would spring forth. Martin clung to the liturgy of the Catholic Church. He followed many of the hymns and traditions of that church as well. He had spent most of his young adult life as a monk in the Roman Catholic faith. Over time, the church evolved into something quite different.
Tradition is still observed in our churches and some feel a need for the structure of a church that follows the service to perfection. Many feel it would be a travesty if any of that changed. In my opinion, there are many ways to gather with fellow Christians and share our beliefs. Our core beliefs should not change and God’s Word is the source for His truth, but if there is another way which stills holds true to the beliefs we share, we shouldn’t discount a new way of worship.
When we think about political correctness and the idea of taking Mr. Potato Head off the market, because he’s sexsist – or removing the word ‘black’ from our speech, because it’s racist – or refusing to acknowledge our past, because of the horrific acts which occured – or erasing the Holocaust, because it brings up the issue of antisemitism – it all seems a little silly to me. If we aren’t using common sense and pure kindness we will continue to live in a society bent on hatred.
Being resistant can also mean that you are physically able to fight off various diseases because of a superior immune system. It can also mean that you may be afraid or unsure about something that causes you to step back. If we are forced into action by our government, is that a democracy?
One of the definitions of resistance refers to an underground organization of a conquered or nearly conquered country engaging in sabotage and secret operations against occupation forces and collaborators. There’s been talk about the forming such a movement in the United States. This sounds like an archaic expression to be used in modern times. It usually had to do with foreign oppression, wars, enemies. Are we at war with ourselves in this country?
I wonder where this is leading us. Resistance is usually represented as one force pulling against another. Since the last election there has been a growing division within our population. The most vocal and stubborn are those who can’t seem to let it go and relish in any piece of news that will suit their purpose. We could easily become a house divided.
I believe it all starts with love. As Jesus often said, we should love one another as we love ourselves. The Golden Rule has gone by the wayside like a lot of our Judaeo/Christian values. Somehow love will overcome hatred, but if we remain angry all the time, how can we possibly stop hating? The following quotes are very telling.
“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Terrorism is a psychological warfare. Terrorists try to manipulate us and change our behavior by creating fear, uncertainty, and division in society.” Patrick J. Kennedy
“Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.” John F. Kennedy
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
“I’m back to now being an activist citizen and part of the resistance,” Hillary Clinton’
“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”
Revelation 3:11
Turnng our hearts back to God is one way we can begin to unite. With so many different philosphies, religions, theology and doctrine, it’s hard to come together because each of us feels we are right. By trusting always in the ways of the Lord, we are taking the first step towards reuniting our United States. He alone can heal our land.
