Life In the Middle

A Christ‑Centered Call to Reflection for Believers

I can’t sit idly by. As a follower of Jesus, I’m grieved when public words from anyone, anywhere celebrate hostility, mock sacred things, or use threats as a form of power. That kind of speech may be normal in the kingdoms of this world, but it is not normal in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus taught us:

• to love our enemies
• to bless those who curse us
• to pray for those who persecute us
• to be peacemakers, not instigators
• to speak truth with humility, not with contempt

And He warned us that our words reveal our hearts.

So when I see language that mocks another faith, glorifies retaliation, or treats human lives as leverage, I’m reminded that followers of Jesus are called to a different way – a way marked by mercy, restraint, and the cross.

But this moment isn’t just about reacting to someone else’s words. It’s about examining our own hearts.

A Challenge to Christians

If you are a Christian who has supported leaders, especially this President, whose speech consistently contradicts the teachings of Jesus, this is a moment for prayerful reflection — not defensiveness.

Ask yourself:

• Have I excused behavior Jesus would never model?
• Have I defended words Jesus would never speak?
• Have I aligned myself more with earthly power than with the character of Christ?
• Have I allowed political loyalty to dull my spiritual discernment?

These are not easy questions. But they are necessary ones.

Because Jesus never asked His followers to defend the powerful. He asked us to imitate Him.

And imitation of Christ looks like:

• humility instead of bravado
• compassion instead of contempt
• truth spoken in love, not rage
• prayer instead of provocation
• trust in God’s justice, not human vengeance

A Call to Return to the Way of Jesus

My hope is not in any leader, party, or nation.
My hope is in the crucified and risen Christ.

And my prayer is that every believer, myself included would return again to His teachings, His heart, and His way.

Because the world doesn’t need more Christians echoing the rhetoric of the powerful. It needs Christians who look, speak, and love like Jesus.