Choose for Yourselves Today

While up in the middle of the night because the dogs were playing too loudly and the house was too hot, I decided to get caught up on emails and Facebook.  I am amazed at all the comments about what occurred yesterday (Chick-Fil-A appreciation day).

I am amazed at the overwhelming response and for some reason I was actually a little amazed at how misinformed some people are and at how people were able to twist what is happening.  I really shouldn't have been surprised, but I was.

Many people went out to support a company that has always been known as a Christian company.  Other protested - either at one of the franchises, by boycotting the restaurant chain, and/or through social media.  Everyone had one thing in common: we all had the right to voice our opinions and beliefs on the subject.  

Watching and listening, I discovered a few things.  

First, why were people dining at Chick-Fil-A yesterday?  I saw three - no, make that four - reasons:

1.  Many Christians were showing support of a Christian company.

2.  Many people were showing their support because they also support the sanctify of marriage and believe in the Biblical or traditional viewpoint of marriage (believe it or not, there are non-Christians who believe that marriage should be only between a man and a woman).  

3.  Many Americans were showing up to defend our Freedom of Speech.  

4.  And while it was not spoken of as much, there were also those who came out in support of Freedom of Religion, even if those may not have been the words they chose.

I saw that many Americans are still willing to stand up for our Constitutional rights, even when they do not agree with others' beliefs.  I saw so many posts and heard comments from non-Christians, anti-Christians, and homosexuals who stated they were going to eat at Chick-Fil-A not because of what Mr. Cathy said, but because of his right to say it.  When government officials ban a company because of something the CEO states or believes, they are infringing on our Freedom of Speech, and if we do not stand up against this infringement we are allowing our freedoms to be whittled away.

What I was surprised by, though, was the hateful speech/posts I saw on both sides of the appreciation day and Mr. Cathy's comments.  Even if these comments were in the minority of what I saw, hateful words reach far and create a big impact.  There is a reason in business we are taught when correcting subordinates to always give two compliments for each correction.  It takes twice as positive words to balance out or outweigh negative words.  So when we are hateful or spiteful, it takes twice as many people to come along with kind and encouraging words to undo the pain we cause.  

While many supporters were non-threatening and actually quite pleasant in their words and actions, there were the few who posted images and comments that really demeaned their own Christian values.  Many of these posts I am sure were meant to be funny, but they actually came across as self-righteous and spiteful.  While your heart may be in the right place, and your intentions may be good, when you are trying to show someone the love of Christ, you cannot demean or insult them.  When you post these images and comments, you are throwing wood on the flames of hate and encouraging those who oppose you to retaliate in fury - not to stop and listen, and possibly hear that there is a God who loves them.  I encourage you to pray before you post, before you hit 'Like,' and ask that whatever you say or post, that it be edifying and glorifying; that it will shine a light in the darkness and bring others closer to Him.

Many opposers were claiming the supporters were showing hate and intolerance by supporting Chick-Fil-A. They do not realize there was an issue at stake that impacts their very rights - the issue of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion.  You may not realize this, but by your words and actions you are encouraging and supporting the government taking away our fundamental rights granted to us in the Constitution - the very rights that allow you to say such things.  People were not showing up at Chick-Fil-A to hurt you or diminish your rights as a citizen.  They were showing support for what they believe in, in support of a company, and in support of our freedoms - and in general doing so peacefully.  

Some opposers spewed out their comments with vehemence.  They attacked with spite and twisted the beliefs and comments of others.  While I am sure some supporters have hate in their hearts, I would have to argue that is not true of the majority.  So many people who waited in the long lines talked about how kind and happy and joyful everyone was.  Joy and hate do not coexist within the same heart.  People called Chick-Fil-A and its supporters oppressors.  When you are under control of the Oppressor, I would imagine you would feel that you are being attacked and hated when others live out a different life.  I am deeply sorrowful that people live in such darkness that all they can see is hate and oppression.  It does not have to be this way.  There is a Way into the light - into a life where your burden can be lifted and you can have true joy.

As usual, extreme liberals - both political figures and celebrities - took this opportunity to attack, to hate, and to take words out of context and twist them.  Of this, I am not surprised.  These will always be there - always trying to undermine conservatism, always trying to force everyone to agree with them.  These are the bullies in this arena.  And they are always going to be on the sidelines - not cheering us on, but trying with their words to tear us down.  Trying to shake the foundations of our great country, working on their own agendas.  They will always have their following - those people whom they have deceived.  I pray that one day the Spirit will penetrate the clutches of these oppressors and allow the Light to shine through to these deceived souls.

I pray that yesterday's support will bring about an awakening in our country.  That more and more people will stand up for their freedoms of speech and religion.  I pray that the attempts of infringement on our freedoms will awaken the Christian community and that there will be revival in this country and the heart of America will be turned back to God who has so greatly blessed us.

As for me, what do I support?  I support our freedom of speech.  I support our freedom of religion.  I support our troops who fight and die to maintain these rights.  I support family.  I support the sanctity of marriage.  I support Chick-Fil-A and other companies that uphold good moral and Christian values.  I support the Church and the ministries and servants of the Lord.

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”(Joshua 24:15)