History and power
Power. Flags. Nations. Control. Rights. Identity. Culture. History. Fight.
Words that have been floating around recently. Words that have meanings for many. I'm beginning to realise the power of words - I know that sounds stupid, just to be happening now - but when words escape your lips they cannot be taken back. They are out there, and will be received, taken and twisted to fit whoever hears them. Words can bring restoration or death, encouragement or discouragement, peace or unrest. A lot of people use words for their identity when they don't really know what their identity is. This 'true' identity, whatever it is, has been lost under a mountain of words which forms the foundation of their current identity. A lot of people's words never change and therefore who they are is forgotten: their identity and their words are not alive or up to date- they are history.
History is important (I studied it so I believe I can say that with a little bit of authority:) ). It teaches us, it gives us reasons for the world as-it-is and it tells the story of people - people whose lives have left something for us in today's world: what they fought for, what was important to them, the mistakes they made, the wars they faced.
History reveals man's struggle as well as triumphs - history reveals how power has been chased and how power has been misused, abused and labelled differently under different regimes, lands and people. History is about power: our struggle to obtain it, to retain it and to have our way with land, cities and individuals. Power is wrapped up in land and flags - nations of the world place their belief in their history and from it, derive their rights and identity: sometimes a true history and a true identity, sometimes one lost under a mountain of words.
This week was the first time I learned what the twelfth of July in Northern Ireland is about (I've now lost my voice of authority on history :) ). I didn't know because I was never taught and I didn't need to know because I don't feel any pull to a particular flag or country. What I do feel is a pull to restoration and redemption. Debate and flag burning doesn't move us forever, statements and politicians can only do so much. I don't believe a flag represents a country - it might differentiate it from other countries and be a symbol of what that country stands for - but I believe the people of that country represent the country. The people give the flag the symbolism. Just like that, the people of Christ represent Christ on earth. They fly Christ's flag as it identifies them as separate from other powers and nations.
But the flag is not Christ....... It's just a symbol.
The flag is just words, or issues, or theology. Very often we wave these about trying to identify ourselves as Christian. But we cannot throw out statements or judgements and then remove ourselves from the field of battle to let others take on what we started. We cannot just watch people tear each other down for symbols from history. These symbols may represent certain things that are remembered and fought for today, but they are fought for without an up-to-date and living experience. We also cannot discount the lives lost in battles of identity, nations and cultures, for they are people - souls precious to God.
The video shows the kind of power God wants to bring on earth. It doesn't respect flags or identities or rights or control. The bible says 'He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light'. May he reveal the deep and dark roots of sectarianism, nationalism, racism, sexism, homophobia and others- the father of lies, the author of confusion, and the accuser and divider himself. And may Christ's light triumph over darkness forevermore.
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