We have been faced with yet another round of “I stand by…” statements in the past week. In the litany of thing after thing, it can be a bit difficult to keep track of everything and everyone people are “standing by.” Please understand, I’m not saying that the phrase itself is wrong, bad, or even evil. What I want us to unpack a little here is what the phrase actually means and why it seems like more often than not now it is just an empty platitude that is spouted to wash one’s hands of any further obligation.
Why am I bringing this up now? Over this past weekend, the world was given a front-row seat at a brutal attack carried out on thousands of innocent people—people more or less just like you and me. The terror, grief, and cries of injustice sounded around the world. The irony of this situation is that one side was completely taken off guard, the other side took the “it all started when he hit me back” position—and the world divided and rallied as if rooting on their favored team in a competition.
How did the West (in particular) at large demonstrate their solidarity with their favored side? They changed their profile pictures on social media, they released statements that condemned the “other” side, offered “thoughts and prayers,” and plastered the now perennial “I stand with” statement prominently in their yards, businesses, and social media feeds.
Yet, what did that do to seriously help anyone? I know it makes the ones taking these stands feel like they are supporting their side, but what did it actually contribute or help? Seriously, ponder this for a few minutes! If you put your two-“I stand with”-cents into the conversation, HOW DID YOU ACTUALLY HELP ANYONE IN THE SITUATION????
“I Stand With…”
Take a moment and look at these images. See how many you can identify. See if you were part of any of these “I stand with” cries. Think about any that I didn’t include (this is, after all, just the tip of the iceberg). The time you take to do this will be valuable as you continue to read!
“I Stand With…” This phrase keeps popping up OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER…just with a different indirect object. Yes, that’s right, I pulled my language knowledge out of my back pocket and pointed out that “with” is a dative preposition which indicates that the object of the preposition. The verb is not being done to the indirect object. The indirect object is merely the recipient of the benefits of the subject doing the verb—not the direct recipient of the action.
You may be wondering at this point: Why go off on this seeming tangent? After all, isn’t it more important that we tell the world which “team” or “side” is ours in any situation? Really, Moses did it when he came down from Sinai with the 10 Commandments and saw the Golden Calf:
“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” (Exodus 32:26)
Didn’t Joshua ask the angel which side he was on in the upcoming battle?
“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?” (Joshua 5:13)
Didn’t Jesus make it clear that people have to choose sides?
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Matthew 12:30)
Didn’t John warn the church in Laodicea to choose their side carefully?
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)
Yes, Scripture is replete with reminders that there is a battle and there are sides. However, those sides are not simply “us” versus “them” or “people group 1” and “people group 2.” In fact, God specifically specifies the sides are “life v. death” and “blessing v. cursing” (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). But if you look at it, these are sides that God Himself defined—not that we as humans have defined.
Additionally, it is not simply enough to SAY that you choose a side. Words have meaning and words have power (Psalm 19:14; Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 15:4; Matthew 12:37; Ephesians 4:29). The tongue can get us into more than enough trouble for multiple lifetimes all by itself (James 3:1-10). Yet, when it comes to situations of need, words are not enough!
- 1 John 3:18:
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. - Matthew 5:16:
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. - James 2:14-16:
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? - Matthew 12:36-37:
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. - Proverbs 10:19:
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. - Proverbs 3:27-28:
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. - Ecclesiastes 12:14:
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Is it actually sufficient?
Have you ever suffered a traumatic event? An “act of God” (e.g. destruction from a natural disaster)? An accident? If so, how did you really feel (deep down inside where no one apart from God would know your thoughts) when someone called, texted, or posted on social media that you were “in their prayers”? Did you feel like the prayers were actually making any difference?
Be aware, I am an incredibly strong advocate for the power of prayer. I am in no way saying that prayer is unnecessary. On the contrary—I have been praying non-stop for this situation between Israel and Gaza! Prayer can actually make an incredible difference…if it’s effectual (Numbers 11:2; 1 Samuel 12:18; Job 42:8; Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 21:22; James 5:16). Otherwise, it’s just words that are said with no power or much impact.
Put yourself mentally in position of those on your “side” who are suffering. If you saw all over the internet that people were “standing” with you, would you feel that was sufficient? Or would you feel like it was a meaningless display designed to make the people saying these platitudes and showing up at rallies feel like they are “doing” something while you are still left in your suffering?
Now put yourself back in those situations (real experiences or the hypothetical I just posed). Think about those who show up to help. If your home was destroyed, were the people who were simply “praying” for you making as much of a difference as those who showed up to help you go through the remains to salvage what remained? When you suffered physically, were the prayers what showed you the most that people “stood with you”…or was it the group of people who came to visit you, those who came to help out around your place, those who made sure you had meals…?
Can you see the difference? Prayer can be an incredibly powerful force that comes straight to the throne of God. However, when we just pray, we run into serious problems. God created us to be His hands and feet in this world. When we sit on our hands and kick our feet up, “praying” for God to act, how can we expect it? How can we later ask “Where was God in that situation” when WE refused to do anything more that “pray for” or “stand with” those in need.
What can actually be done?
In the constant barrage of news coming from the Israel-Gaza situation, it would surprise me if you did not hear of many ways to help—both Israelis and the Gaza residents. However, there are so many different options, we find ourselves shutting out the cries for assistance that we often choose our “favorites” (probably most commonly the ones we know, e.g. the Red Cross) or we simply ignore the cries for help.
Why and how could we ignore pleas for assistance? Actually, the answer to both parts of these questions is one in the same. We are faced with so many options, we are actually overwhelmed and our poor brains shutdown at the monolithic task of vetting the options to determine which one(s) we want to support. It sounds crazy, right? Yet research keeps proving to us that when we are given ALL of the options, we shut down and are almost always guaranteed to either make no choice or to go with one that is most convenient (either closest to us or the one we recognize the fastest). We do this simply to get out of the uncomfortable position of having to make a choice.
1. Educate yourself on sides not commonly heard in your normal spaces
The first step is truly to start educating yourself on the many different perspectives on the “fight” between your side and the “other” side. In this situation with the Israel-Gaza conflict, you probably do not even realize just how one-sided your understanding is. You need to take the time to expand your perspectives! I am not saying that you have to completely change your position to the “other” side, but you do need to understand the nuances that drive people to that side. My suggestion: take time to follow how mainstream media is covering the issue, then find sources you wouldn’t normally look for (e.g. Al Jazeera which is based in Qatar). If you want to understand some from Israel’s perspective, you can check out sources like PragerU’s discussions on the history of this conflict and the documentary “Hate Among Us.” Remember, you will only be reacting to information (and therefore most likely NOT helping) if you can’t see a bigger picture.
2. Go and help out—if it is at all possible for you to do so
If this is something you feel driven to, GO OVER THERE! Get your boots on the ground and actually help out on the scene. If this is not possible, start contacting your elected officials (psst—that’s what you as a citizen are actually supposed to be able to do in a democratic country) to express your position (remember as you do this that you’re not the only one they are representing). If that still isn’t what you feel is right, get creative! There are so many ways to help without ever leaving your country!
3. Find organizations that are on the ground
If you are still not feeling comfortable with actually getting your hands dirty in the process… If you are still struggling with finding “the thing” you are supposed to do… If you simply don’t feel you have any skills that you can contribute—there are still ways you can help.
The easiest thing is to find an organization you can donate to, work with (e.g. providing helping hands through volunteering), and share information about with those around you. As I already said, I realize that there are so many different options out there (and many opportunistic cons) that it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. You can either find those in your friends group who can provide information about trustworthy organizations. If that’s not a possibility for you, here are three good organizations in different sectors that you can start with:
- Shaare Zedek Medical Center—an amazing hospital system that seeks to provide world-class medical assistance to all, regardless of race, color, or creed.
- Maasay Yahdav—this organization works with many different partners on the ground in Israel to help meet the immediate needs of people in Israel (working with refugees, Holocaust survivors, children’s homes, schools, and many others)
- My Brother’s Keeper International—an organization that works with schools, emergency medical responses, and several other projects (check out the site to learn more)
Next Steps
Remember, words do have meaning and power—but sitting on your hands simply claiming that you “stand” with others is a dangerous choice. Choosing a side is more than sitting alone on your sofa, watching the show, and cheering your side on.
Stop being content with passivity!
Get out and actually make a difference!
Living Energeia 