I suppose it happens often, that we learn more about people at their death than we ever knew during their lives. In fact, living under the sub-culture of a strict religious sect as a child, the first time I ever heard of Elvis was the day he died. I was out taking my banana-seat bike off some sweet jumps we built, when a neighbor kid stopped me and squealed, “Did you know Elvis died??!!!”. I had not yet learned it wise to conceal ignorance of matters that seem common knowledge so I asked, “Who’s Elvis?” I don’t know if my friend was more shocked at the death or at the fact that I had never heard of him.
But one man who passed this week I knew a little of. In 1986, Amnesty International held a benefit concert in my city. I went, not because I knew much about their work, but because of the amazing line up of musicians coming. I still remember this as the best concert I’ve ever attended. Five hours of some of the greatest music the 80’s had to offer. The topic of the night was Nelson Mandela, still in prison. We recoiled at the thought a developed society could, in our modern times, be so deeply and oppressively divided over race.
I later heard all the excuses surrounding the “it’s just the way things are” philosophies, as well as all the derogatory opinions of Mandela himself. A co-worker from Africa of British descent, whose family fled Rhodesia during the transition to Zimbabwe, flatly stated that black Africans cannot govern themselves. He astutely observed that all attempts at their own independence ended in bloody chaos, without taking into consideration what might be creating the challenges. A client listening in to this conversation, a white, British citizen himself, had some choice remarks about their average intelligence and other things which I really prefer to forget. This was right about the time when Mandela was being released from prison, soon to do the opposite of what white people expected. Forgive.
Yes, Mandela had a different political ideology than most Americans embrace, and yes he did resort to violence in his past, as so many often do when they feel it is the only way to overcome their oppressors. That’s not a foreign concept in America is it? I think that’s what those canon shot fireworks on 4th of July are meant to commemorate? Who is a terrorist and who is a liberator? Just depends which side you are born on doesn’t it? Violence is violence. Either it’s a solution, or it’s not. A worthy cause doesn’t make it prettier. I understand why people believe it’s necessary. I am sad when people (anywhere) see it as the first solution.
Often anger and hate boil over and create an endless cycle of killing and revenge. But when Mandela walked out of the prison, he chose to leave the anger and hate behind and be truly free. He led his countrymen in this path, and prevented what everyone expected – more killing than ever before. I have read some of the most encouraging things in the last few days of his life and work. They give me hope that peace and reconciliation can come, and hate can be put away in other places of the world where it seems to have consumed the minds and hearts of people.
There is no good side in a hate-filled land. There is no bad side when Christ loves all the people involved with his own pierced hands and heart. One side may be stronger than the other, but it is to the strong and those who have the power, to choose the path. What if our enemies overcame us tomorrow? What philosophy would we wish them to carry? The one we now hold? Or the one that Jesus taught, and Nelson Mandela learned to live and teach? What if those First Nations that European civilization oppressed in America from the time the first ship landed, had a chance to rule over the kingdom built on their blood and land? What would they choose and what would we deserve?
There are so many issues in this world we only seem to hear one voice from. Often we may think there are only two sides when there are many. We don’t seek to understand why, or walk in the shoes of another’s life to see through their eyes. We want to be right, stronger, superior, victorious.
I discussed with my oldest son recently the phenomenon of super heroes in our pop culture. Our society, in my experience, is overwhelmingly aspiritual, while at the same time very religious in some places. But we still have our icons to worship – be they actual human celebrities, sports teams and players, or cartoons. The heroes are strong, overcoming, witty, invincible avengers. Yes, that’s the name of the movie even! They are the opposite of Jesus, my superhero. Are we a part of this culture that admires these values above all and not even realize how deeply drawn away we are from the heart of Christ? We are so attracted to the patriotic Captain America, the strength of Hulk, and the self-centered humor and blind pride of Iron Man. Mankind has always needed something bigger and more powerful than themselves to worship. The nature and heart of what we choose in this regard reveals our own desires. I believe it takes the stronger man and woman to choose peace. I am not sure I am that strong. It’s hard to choose it even under my own roof sometimes.
My heart breaks for so many suffering people in this world – for the atrocities of the past, and the present. This time of year, we think and speak of peace. I shared a picture recently on facebook that said, “Dear God, let me worry less about putting Christ in Christmas, and more about getting Christ back in “Christian.” It was shared more times than anything I have ever posted in my several years there, which shocked me. I believe we deeply sense a problem in this country within the Body of Christ, but it’s easy to point the finger at all those “fake Christians” out there, when we need to look at our own lives – held up to the Light of Christ and His LOVE. Let that Christ in the Christian begin with me. Most of the time I feel like a paper-thin, invisible Christian. I want the light to shine out, and for people to realize it’s HIM and not me.
Mandela’s heart was also tied with those who still waited for freedom. I don’t want to argue about what that means, or what people deserve. I just long for that with him, for all people. When enemies collide in love – it’s the most beautiful thing on earth. It began in the Cross, and may it continue to spread, one changed life at a time.
May we love all the people God put on this Earth, and consider ourselves in an honest manner.
8thDay4Life 