Sowing the Wind

⁷ For they sow the wind,

    and they shall reap the whirlwind.

The standing grain has no heads;

    it shall yield no flour;

if it were to yield,

    strangers would devour it.

Hosea 8:7 English Standard Version

            When my social media started filling up recently, I did not recognize the name Charlie Kirk, neither did Christy. We had to look him up to find out why he was important and what he stood for. At first, all I knew was that a speaker at a university had been assassinated. As time passed, I  noticed trends developing. I was unsurprised at the direction of the trends and who embraced what. These postings were a dark commentary on the state of our culture. As the hoary prophet said, “They shall reap the whirlwind.”

            We’ve given voice and platform to our darker impulses. We allow people to say and post reprehensible things. Things we used to mutter underneath our breath when we believed no one was listening. We treat rumor and inuendo with respect. We let the so-called influencers spread divisive rants untethered and unaccountable, all the while they earn significant salaries on our likes and sharings. What we pass off as mere freedom of speech is sowing the wind. Now we are reaping the fruits of our disenchantment and Charlie Kirk, his wife, and their young children are paying the price.

            Some have posted or shared postings that say or insinuate that Mr. Kirk somehow got what he deserved! This is to our collective shame. No one deserves assassination for speaking out about their beliefs. We may disagree with someone, but in our country they have the right to speak their mind. And to try and ameliorate this horrible act by saying that this is what they get for what they say and believe is unconscionable. To do, say, or post these things simply reveals our own moral failure. We must do better than that.

            Some have posted or shared postings that seize upon this act as some sort of clarion call to arms or resistance! Again, this is to our collective shame. The chasm between groups in our nation is deep enough! To use this tragedy to forward your own cause, to incense and increase your own following is callous in the extreme. We must work on building bridges, not barriers.

            Our collective indifference to the endemic lies, mischaracterizations, innuendos, and exaggerations that make up so much of the social media world is sowing the wind. We’re planting seeds of discord and disunity. The violence, anger, and governmental gridlock are simply the fruits of the seeds that we’ve sown and will continue to sow until we stop sharing, posting, and reposting. It is a matter of responsibility and maturity. We enjoy this great capability offered by modern technology. I fear we do not possess the requisite maturity required of this tremendous power. We require individuals to show competence before issuing a driver's license, a pilot’s license, or any other numerous skills which entail potential risk to others; yet, we turn people loose on the world-wide-web without any thought about what they may do with such a tool. As the proverb says,

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

    and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21

The question all of us must answer is, what do I love death or life? Through our use of the internet, and social media in particular, we plant seeds. We either build up or tear down. If we feel like our nation and culture is heading in the wrong direction perhaps, we need to look at what we are sowing.