When Neutral Isn't Enough

For so long now I have heard people say, "You know me, I am always neutral." It has bothered me, I mean is that enough? Is that what we are called to be in life? Neutral. What happened to standing up for what is right, for the truth?

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NIV

How about when we refuse to speak up for the weak or the picked on?

Do justice to the weak the poor and fatherless; maintain the rights of the afflicted and needy. Psalm 82:3

When we have remained silent and smiled for too long.

"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. Mt. 5:13 (MSG)

We have chosen to cover our eyes and say nothing because you don't talk about it in 'polite company' or with 'the family' because it causes fights and isn't P.C.

I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor never the tormented. Elie Wiesel

We remain silent instead of speaking up for what is right and true.

Those who stand for nothing fall for anything. - Alexander Hamilton

During World War Two the Nazi's rounded up thousands, their neighbors chose to look the other way. To pretend they did not know. To remain neutral. Because it was safe. Because they didn't want to get involved. Maybe we should be involved. After all, we are called to be salt and light. Why aren't we being salt? Salt burns, it purifies, it gets involved and seasons the mix. Light makes things grow. It gets involved and allows people to see the path so they don't stumble and fall.

 If you stand for something you will have people for you and against you. But if you stand for nothing you will have nobody for you and nobody against you.  - Maurice Saatchi

Do your family and friends know where you stand? Do they know what you believe? If someone asked your kids what you believed what could your kids tell them?

Give to us a clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for- because unless we stand for something we shall  fall for anything. - Peter Marshal

I think we all need to do some self-examination and see if we are standing in the right spot. If we are standing for the right things, the things God called us to stand for.  What footprints are we walking in?  We have huge "shoes" to fill in our walk to be Christ-like, but part of that walk is a daily - maybe moment by moment examination to make sure that the footprints we are standing on are His.
Isn't that what the walk is about? May He help us to be brave as we walk out this path he has set before us.

I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way and show compassion, it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness will go. Rachel Joy Scott  Brave girl who was not ashamed of her savior at Columbine High School.

P.S. If you don't know who Peter Marshal was, please look him up! There is a book about him and a movie called, 'A Man Called Peter'. You won't be sorry.