Have you ever listened to a song hundreds of times, but one time a certain lyric just stands out? I know I have, and if you have put two and two together, you will probably know what song this post is talking about. I’m not a huge Taylor Swift fan, but she does have a few songs that I enjoy listening to. The song “You Need To Calm Down” is no different. It has a strong vibrant message to Christians suggesting that Christians should calm down with their name-calling and oppression towards the LGBTQ community. I know that many Christians oppose this song with strong feelings, but I happen to like it. If you haven’t heard it yet, take a listen.
So, this past week I was on my way home from Vacation Bible School and the lyric “‘Cause shade never made anybody less gay” popped out at me. I remind you that I’ve heard this song a lot since it was released earlier this year; however, this was the first time I actually realized what that line of lyrics said. The truth of this line from the song is legit, but reality is the complete opposite.
I don’t know when it happened but Christians seem to think that if they throw shade towards someone who doesn’t believe in what we believe in as Christians, it will make them change. WRONG! Making someone feel and think less of themselves because they are a homosexual, not white, an immigrant is not going to make them change or go back to where they come from. It also does not help that the highest power of leadership in United States is setting the wrong example for the people he is leading.
Am I advocating for people to be gay? No, I am not. However, I am advocating for the fact that despite their sexuality, they are still humans who have feelings and they still have the right to be treated fairly. Personally, I believe that homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible but I choose to love them despite that because I’m not called to judge people of their sins, but to love them. “The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30, NET)
I honestly believe that if that verse read: The second is: ‘condemn your neighbor as yourself.’ we would actually love people like we should. It seems to me that Christians think backwards to what the Bible says. It’s like we can judge you but you can’t judge us. We can challenge your beliefs and ideology but you can’t challenge ours. It’s no wonder why so many non-believers think we are hypocrites.
What am I trying to say? What I’m saying is what the title of this song suggests… we need to calm down. This doesn’t mean that we let people go the hell for their sins, but rather that we love them first then show them the truth of God’s salvation through His word.
I want to set forward a challenge for everyone who reads this post. For the next 30 days, trying loving someone who you don’t know before you even get to know them. If you judge somebody, apologize and let them judge you back. Don’t get mad when someone challenges your ideology.
It’s time for us Christians to calm down and love people more!
Leave a Reply