One of my favorite Christian singers has recently experienced tremendous success in the secular music industry. Her voice is amazing and her lyrics are meaningful and the world is taking notice. To that I say, well done beautiful singer. You have a gift and you are using it to shine a light.

Which is why I feel the need to call out a ridiculous situation that involves her. I was saddened to hear that she was confronted and asked a really loaded question about the specifics of her beliefs. In response, she gave a very reserved answer that angered “religious” people everywhere. Afterward, she was belittled on social media by people of faith- flat out ATTACKED- by Christians who claim she answered incorrectly.

What bothers me is that she was set up to fail because there was no good answer to the question. I’m not saying there wasn’t a correct answer, but there was no good way to answer. No matter what she replied, it was bound to offend someone and cause division. The question wasn’t asked with the intent to promote unity among music listeners, rather it was asked with the intent to divide them. The people who posed the question were trying to discredit her.

As if somehow her stance on one issue determines whether or not she is really a Christian singer.

As if her opinion on one issue nullifies the impact her songs have made on millions of people.

Absurd.

The Pharisees did the same thing to Jesus. They questioned him, not with pure motives, but with the intent of laying a trap for him so that they could kill him. They tried to destroy his light.

They were haters.

And so it is today.

The fault here does not lie with the response of the singer. She is doing her best to be light in a dark world.

And light is light.

For instance, all light bulbs, no matter the wattage, bring light to the dark. They accomplish a purpose and it is good. So it is with the light of our faith.

Light is light. Some light is bright, some light is dim… but it all illuminates the Father.

We should be cheering for the light to flourish and fighting the darkness instead.  

The fault in this situation lies with those who are attempting to put out the light. The ones who are trying to discredit her and cause polarizing division. The ones who create an environment where it isn’t safe to share. The ones who are the modern day Pharisees.

The haters.

I John 2:9-10 is clear: “If anyone claims, ‘I am living in the light,’ but hates another brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.”

We are called to support those who are on the battle lines, holding up a light.

We are called to encourage the ones brave enough to take a chance and try to shine.

We are supposed to be a people marked by love, not hate.

It makes no sense to me why some people insist on trying to cause other Christians to stumble. Why are they trying to extinguish light? Why do they insist that there should be only one kind of light?

Matthew 7:1-5 says: “Do not judge others, for as you judge others, you will be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging others is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?”

Amen!

Let’s be people who worry about our own beliefs.

Let’s be people who love all of the beautiful forms of light.

In response to what has happened, here’s my open letter to the haters:

Dear friend,

I love you, as a brother or a sister in Christ.

And because of this love I want to invite you to join us in the light.

And lovingly ask you to please stop extinguishing the lights of others.

Please put down your weapons of hate and pick up the banner of love.

Please trade your judgment for encouragement.

Please choose to support light instead of destroy it.

Please use your words for good and not for evil.

Please stop pointing out what you perceive as sin in other people’s lives and address your own heart.

You are working against the kingdom and it needs to end.

Our great God, who is the author of justice and truth is more than able to judge humanity without your “help.”

There is another way.

Consider this your special invitation to the table of peace.

A beautiful banquet has been prepared and there is a seat reserved for you. Come, and sit in the chair of mercy and grace and dine on the feast of unconditional love. You will be welcomed with open arms and filled with love that you don’t deserve and could never earn.

The table is set and it’s a sight to behold. Let’s dine together and bask in the glow.

Let’s carry the torch for those attempting to shine.

Let’s walk arm in arm toward the finish line.

Let’s love so well, people want to come to the table and join us.

Let’s fight for light.

Let’s fight the darkness.

Sincerely,

A girl committed to the Light.

 

As always, I love hearing from you. Message me or comment below and I would be honored to get on my knees for you. God is moving in miraculous ways and prayers are being answered. Let’s do this faith journey together.

Blessings!

Minta