Constructive

In Philippians 2, we see how God has called us to be constructive in our approach to problems we
face:
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,
15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

I believe that we can be known for solutions we embrace, rather than problems that we isolate.  When we face conflict, tension, or other dilemmas, a healthy injection of Biblical truth can make a dramatic impact.  We can be challenged to allow people to see our serious, well-reasoned approaches and recognize that God's Word offers practical truth for today's culture.  I think Christians can be seen as "go-to" people who are filled with compassion and truth; not known for our complaining, but for our constructive ideas, inspired by the Spirit.

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In the book of Jude, we are reminded of our responsibility to stay strong and do the work of the Lord:
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;
23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

In a time in which awards shows have become politicized, it seems that those responsible for the Academy Awards are becoming concerned, according to a piece on the Deadline Hollywood website. After the recent Screen Actors Guild awards ceremony became open season on President Trump, and specifically his refugee policy, it seems the Oscars might be taking a second look.

The article poses the question: "In the current atmosphere, how can the Academy deliver an even remotely relevant show without alienating viewers on one side or another of the political equation–and without curtailing the presumed right of every honoree and presenter to speak his or her mind on-camera?"

The article noted that a statement by the Academy in support of Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, who said he would not be attending the Oscar ceremony later this month, "took some careful crafting; the group avoided mentioning Trump, lest it violate a prohibition under which its bylaws prohibit political posturing."

While stopping short of censorship, the Academy is said to be "looking for ways to remind presenters and honorees in coming weeks that movies, at their best, tend to be a unifying medium."

And, if you're watching the Super Bowl this Sunday for what promises to be an entertaining game or perhaps compelling commercials, consider yourself warned.  While there had been rumors that the NFL might place some restrictions on Lady Gaga's halftime performance, in a press conference in Houston, this week, she said, according to ABCNews.com, "I believe in a passion for inclusion, I believe in the spirit of equality and that the spirit of this country is one of love and compassion and kindness," adding, "So my performance will uphold those philosophies."

Interpret that as you will, but I think I know what she's saying.

Well, actor Matthew McConaughey is perhaps saying, "enough already" on Hollywood forcing its politics on people.  A Fox News story says that actor has said "it's time for Hollywood to 'embrace' Trump and get over it. The story says that McConaughey told ChannelFI that: "...anyone, even those who may strongly disagree with his principles or things he’s said and done — and that’s another thing, we’ll see what he does compares to what he has said — no matter how much you even disagreed along the way, it’s time to think about how constructive can you be..."  Oh, by the way, that ChannelFI is a YouTube channel that has been terminated.

Constructive - that's a great word, and seems to perhaps describe what actor Taraji P. Henson is calling for.  She is in the movie, Hidden Figures, which won the Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.  The movie is about three African-American women who played pivotal roles in the space program in the 60's. The Huffington Post reported on Henson's acceptance speech for the award, in which she said: “These women did not complain about the problems, the circumstances, the issues,” adding, “They focused on solutions. Therefore, these brave women helped put men into space.” She ended with this call for unity: “This story is about what happens when we put our differences aside, and we come together as a human race,” adding, "We win. Love wins every time ... They are hidden figures no more!”  Now, I'm just isolating those comments, because in other forums, even backstage at the SAG awards, according to Deadline Hollywood, she has definitely communicated in a less nuanced, more highly political way.

John Stonestreet, in a Breakpoint commentary, said this about the film:

“Hidden Figures” is a wonderfully inspiring movie and it couldn’t come at a better time for our culture. On one hand, this increasingly racially divided land of ours badly needs to see a way forward, including the responsibility we all have to recognize, acknowledge, and enable the dignity of others. On the other hand, in an age where so many claim to be victims of oppression for not having free birth control or not having everyone endorse their lifestyle choices, we can learn from those who faced and overcame real oppression, and how we can help.

I want to concentrate on how we can be challenged to think how we are being constructive as the body of Christ.  In a tense political climate, how can we be the hands, the feet, and the voice of Jesus?   I think there is a real human tendency to complain - it manifests itself so often in the political realm, but it can also infiltrate the personal.

We can choose to experience real, spiritual satisfaction - godly contentment as it's called in 1st Timothy 6 - or we can weigh our spirits down and water down our witness by complaining.  I would hope that we want to be known by how we build people up and not tear them down.  And, the Bible says to build ourselves up in our "most holy faith."

Yesterday was a notable day, because I featured several people who are speaking spiritual truth into mainstream culture.  Filmmaker Devon Franklin has worked with Dr. Oz to develop a spiritually-based series of programs during February - the Doctor recognizes people need spiritual mechanisms to cope with the challenges of our culture.  And, today, there was a significant representation of Christian principles; may not be for the whole series, but at least the role of faith is being acknowledged.  Kutter Callaway of Fuller Theological Seminary had a chance to build a bridge through an interview with director Martin Scorsese, who deals with matters of faith in his latest film. Craig DeRoche of Prison Fellowship injected a Biblical perspective into issues concerning race and justice into a film by director Ava DuVernay.  This is what impacting culture looks like, presenting the Christian worldview in a credible way that has the potential to touch the masses - or our neighbors.  Solutions to our culture's dilemmas can be found as we seek opportunities for God to use us to represent truth.