Tag: Truth

Keep Being You, Ryan Clark

I have never met Ryan Clark, but I have long been a fan of his work.

Like many football fans, I appreciate his knowledge of the game. He breaks down plays with intelligence, passion, and the perspective of someone who has actually lived the NFL experience. But what has always stood out to me even more than his football analysis is his willingness to speak his mind.

Ryan Clark has never seemed interested in simply telling people what they want to hear. Whether discussing football or larger issues affecting society, he has consistently been willing to stand up for people whose voices are often overlooked. You may not always agree with everything he says—that’s perfectly reasonable—but you always know where he stands.

This week, ESPN parted ways with Ryan Clark. 

As I write this, I have not seen an official explanation detailing the reasons behind that decision. Because of that, anything beyond the publicly available facts is speculation.

From my perspective, it is difficult not to wonder whether his willingness to speak openly on social issues played a role. That is simply my opinion, not a statement of fact. If that were the case, I would find it disappointing. In a country that values free expression, thoughtful disagreement should not be something we fear. People can disagree passionately while still respecting one another.

Regardless of the reasons behind ESPN’s decision, one thing seems clear to me: Ryan Clark’s talent did not disappear overnight. A respected football analyst with his experience, insight, and ability to connect with audiences will almost certainly have opportunities ahead. Great communicators have a way of finding new platforms.

Sometimes a closed door becomes the entrance to something even greater.

I have every confidence that Ryan Clark will land on his feet and continue building an outstanding career. Whether it’s on another network, through digital media, or in an entirely new venture, I believe his future remains incredibly bright.

To Ryan Clark, if you ever happen to read this: thank you for being authentic. Thank you for speaking with conviction, even when it isn’t easy. Continue to be yourself, continue to challenge conversations, and continue to bring your passion for football wherever your journey leads next.

I’ll be watching.

And I’ll be cheering you on.

Keep being you. ~OC

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When We Chose Silence

History never arrives wearing a name tag.

It comes in headlines,

executive orders,

courtrooms,

classrooms,

detention centers,

empty dinner tables,

and neighbors who suddenly disappear
from the routines of ordinary life.

It asks no one,
“Do you agree?”

Only,
“Will you notice?”

While some argued over politics,
children wondered if they would see
their parents again after school.

While some celebrated victories,
others quietly packed backpacks,
unsure if tomorrow would still feel
like home.

While many said,
“It isn’t happening to me,”
the circle kept growing,
its shadow stretching farther
than anyone expected.

A journalist lost a voice.

A teacher lost a lesson.

A veteran lost a place to sleep.

A refugee lost hope.

A worker lost dignity.

A family lost certainty.

And every loss whispered
the same question:

Who will stand beside them?

Freedom was never meant
to belong only to those
who look like us,
pray like us,
vote like us,
or were born where we were.

Justice was never intended
to recognize passports
before people.

Compassion was never supposed
to require permission.

One day,
our grandchildren may read
the journals written in 2026.

They may ask why children
wrote about fear instead of dreams.

Why families described hiding
instead of celebrating.

Why so many adults
mistook silence for peace.

I hope they also discover
another story—

Of ordinary people
who refused to let fear
have the final word.

People who crossed
political lines,
cultural lines,
and every invisible line
that divided neighbor from neighbor.

People who understood
that the measure of a nation
is not how loudly it celebrates liberty,
but how faithfully it protects
the vulnerable.

Because history remembers
more than what was done.

It remembers
who looked away,

and who,
at the right moment,

chose to speak. ~OC

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Who Will You Stand In The Gap For?

Today’s a new day!

There is a question that every follower of Jesus should ask themselves from time to time.

Who am I willing to stand in the gap for?

Is it only the person who looks like you?

The one who thinks like you?

The one who votes like you?

The one who worships like you?

The one who believes exactly as you do?

The one who speaks your language?

The one who was born in the same country as you?

Or are you willing to stand in the gap for anyone God places in your path?

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus continually crossed the boundaries that people had built. He touched those considered unclean. He ate with tax collectors and sinners. He spoke with Samaritans. He healed Roman servants. He welcomed children. He defended the outcast. He loved those society had rejected.

He never asked whether someone had earned His compassion before extending it.

Instead, He saw people made in the image of God.

That same calling has been given to us.

The world is becoming increasingly divided. We are encouraged to place labels on one another before we ever learn each other’s names. Political affiliation, nationality, race, denomination, social status, education, income, and ideology have become walls that separate people.

Yet the Cross tears those walls down.

Jesus did not die only for people who would someday agree with us.

He died for the whole world.

Every refugee.

Every immigrant.

Every prisoner.

Every addict.

Every widow.

Every orphan.

Every veteran.

Every child.

Every elderly neighbor.

Every wealthy executive.

Every person experiencing homelessness.

Every believer.

Every skeptic.

Every person struggling to find hope.

Every person you may never fully understand.

The ground at the foot of the Cross is level.

Our assignment as Christians is not to decide who deserves our love.

Our assignment is to love.

Sometimes standing in the gap means praying for someone who has no one else praying for them.

Sometimes it means buying a meal.

Sometimes it means listening instead of arguing.

Sometimes it means forgiving when forgiveness feels impossible.

Sometimes it means speaking up for someone whose voice has been ignored.

Sometimes it means sitting beside someone everyone else has walked away from.

Sometimes it simply means reminding another person that they are not forgotten.

Standing in the gap isn’t comfortable.

It wasn’t comfortable for Jesus either.

His love carried Him all the way to Calvary.

The Cross reminds us that sacrificial love is rarely convenient, but it is always powerful.

Imagine what our communities would look like if Christians became known less for the people we exclude and more for the people we embrace.

Imagine churches where everyone knew they would be welcomed.

Imagine conversations marked more by grace than by outrage.

Imagine believers who loved so deeply that people caught a glimpse of Jesus before they ever heard a sermon.

That is what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ.

The next time you encounter someone who is different from you, don’t begin by asking whether they deserve your compassion.

Instead, remember this:

Jesus loves them.

Jesus died for them.

Jesus is pursuing them.

And perhaps He is asking you to stand in the gap for them.

May we be people whose love reflects the heart of Christ rather than the divisions of our culture.

May our hands be quick to serve.

May our words be full of grace.

May our prayers extend beyond those who are easy to love.

And may we never forget that someone once stood in the gap for us.

His name is Jesus Christ.

Because He stood in the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity, we have been offered forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life.

Now it is our turn to carry His love into a hurting world.

Who will you stand in the gap for today? ~OC

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Could The Tate Brothers Arrest Be The First Domino?

Today’s a new day! Do I have my own opinion about Andrew and Tristan Tate? Yes. So as I write this article, I will do my best to stick to the facts that we publicly have at this point.

News that Andrew and Tristan Tate have been arrested in Miami, Florida, has once again placed two of the internet’s most controversial figures back into the international spotlight. Whenever high-profile individuals become the focus of criminal investigations, one question often follows:

Could this case lead investigators to uncover a much larger network?

Some have begun asking whether this arrest could eventually connect to the individuals whose names have been associated with the Jeffrey Epstein investigations. While there is currently no public evidence establishing such a connection, it is a question that many people are discussing.

Why People Are Asking

History has shown that major criminal investigations sometimes begin with one individual before expanding much further. Investigators frequently use evidence gathered from one suspect to identify additional witnesses, uncover financial records, expose communications, or reveal broader criminal activity.

This has happened in organized crime cases, public corruption investigations, financial fraud prosecutions, and human trafficking cases. One arrest can sometimes become the first domino to fall.

That does not mean every investigation expands in that way. Each case stands on its own facts, and conclusions should never be reached before evidence is presented.

The Epstein Files Continue to Raise Questions

Years after Jeffrey Epstein’s death, many Americans continue to believe that significant questions remain unanswered.

People continue to ask:

  • Who knew what was happening?
  • Who participated in criminal conduct?
  • Who helped enable it?
  • Who has yet to be held accountable?

Those questions have fueled ongoing public interest, regardless of political affiliation.

Could These Cases Be Connected?

At this point, there is no public evidence showing that the Miami arrest of Andrew and Tristan Tate is connected to the Epstein investigations.

Could investigators discover information that leads elsewhere?

Possibly.

Will it happen?

No one knows.

Criminal investigations often proceed quietly, and law enforcement agencies rarely reveal their evidence until charges are filed or cases reach court.

Because of that, speculation should never be confused with established fact.

Justice Should Be Equal

Whether someone is famous, wealthy, politically connected, or has millions of followers online should never determine whether they are investigated or prosecuted.

Justice should not have favorites.

If crimes have been committed, every person involved should be held accountable.

If someone has not committed a crime, they deserve the presumption of innocence and due process under the law.

Those principles are essential to maintaining confidence in the justice system.

The Bigger Picture

The real issue extends beyond any single individual.

Human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable people remain global tragedies that affect countless victims every year. Every credible investigation that uncovers trafficking networks has the potential to rescue victims and prevent future abuse.

Rather than focusing solely on personalities, our attention should remain on seeking truth, protecting victims, and ensuring justice is applied fairly and consistently.

Whether this arrest becomes another isolated case or eventually leads investigators toward additional criminal activity remains to be seen. Time—and the evidence—will determine the answer.

Until then, the wisest approach is to follow the facts wherever they lead, resist jumping to conclusions, and continue advocating for justice for every victim. ~OC

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A Life of Significance

Today’s a new day!

There is something about a long and difficult health journey that changes the way you see everything.

It has a way of stripping away every illusion of control.

We spend so much of our lives believing we are in charge of tomorrow. We make plans, build careers, chase achievements, accumulate possessions, and convince ourselves that if we just work a little harder or prepare a little better, we can control what comes next.

Then life happens.

A diagnosis.
A phone call.
A hospital room.
A test result.
A moment that changes everything.

My health journey has taught me that life is far more fragile than I ever imagined. It has also shown me how fragile relationships can be. Some people will walk beside you through the darkest valleys, while others quietly disappear when the road becomes difficult. Although that can be painful, it also reveals something beautiful—it helps you recognize those who genuinely love you, not for what you can do, but simply because you are you.

This journey has also taught me that everything we often believe defines us can disappear in an instant.

Our careers.
Our physical strength.
Our independence.
Our financial security.
Our titles.
Our reputation.
Even our carefully crafted plans for the future.

None of those things are guaranteed.

When those layers begin to fall away, one question remains:

Who are we when everything else is gone?

For me, that question continually brings me back to Jesus.

My identity cannot rest in what I accomplish, because accomplishments fade.

It cannot rest in my health, because health can change overnight.

It cannot rest in what others think of me, because opinions come and go.

My identity must rest in the One who never changes.

The older I get, and the longer this journey continues, the more convinced I become that so much of what we spend our lives worrying about simply doesn’t matter in the end.

We argue over temporary things.

We compete for positions that won’t last.

We chase recognition that will eventually be forgotten.

We exhaust ourselves trying to impress people whose approval can never truly satisfy our hearts.

Meanwhile, opportunities to love, encourage, forgive, and serve quietly pass us by.

What if we invested as much energy into loving people as we do protecting our image?

What if we pursued kindness with the same passion we pursue success?

What if we measured our lives less by what we accumulated and more by whose lives were changed because we were here?

I don’t want my life to be remembered for what I owned.

I want it to be remembered for how I loved.

I don’t want to simply leave behind possessions.

I want to leave behind hope.

I want people to know that even in weakness, Jesus remained faithful.

Even through suffering, His grace was sufficient.

Even when life felt uncertain, His promises never failed.

If my health journey has taught me anything, it is this:

Life is a gift.

Time is precious.

People matter.

Jesus is enough.

So today, I want to encourage you.

Don’t spend your life chasing things that will never satisfy your soul.

Don’t allow temporary achievements to become eternal priorities.

Choose a life of significance.

Love deeply.

Forgive quickly.

Serve generously.

Encourage freely.

Walk humbly with God.

Because when this life is over, it won’t matter how impressive our résumé was or how much applause we received.

What will matter is whether we loved God with all our heart and loved our neighbor as ourselves.

Those are the things that last.

Those are the things that echo into eternity. ~OC

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What I Look For In A Leader

Today’s a new day!

As followers of Jesus, we are called to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1–2). We are also called to exercise wisdom and discernment when evaluating the character of those who seek to lead.

When I consider a political candidate, my first question isn’t, “What party do they belong to?” My question is, “What kind of person are they becoming?”

These are some of the qualities I look for.

I look for a joyful heart. Not a manufactured smile for the cameras, but a genuine joy that reflects gratitude, humility, and hope. Scripture reminds us that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). A joyful heart often points to a soul that isn’t driven solely by fear, anger, or resentment.

I look for a clear mind that produces clear thoughts and the ability to express those thoughts with maturity. Leadership requires wisdom. Decisions affect millions of lives, and words have the power to unite or divide. Mature communication matters.

I look for self-restraint. In a culture that rewards outrage and impulsive reactions, self-control is becoming increasingly rare. Yet Scripture calls self-control one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). A leader who cannot govern themselves will struggle to govern wisely.

I look for someone who values people more than power. Power should never become the goal; it should be a tool used to serve others. Jesus, the greatest leader who ever lived, washed the feet of His disciples instead of demanding they serve Him. That is the model of leadership I admire.

I look for someone who respects people—even those who disagree with them. We don’t have to agree with everyone to treat them with dignity. Every person bears the image of God. Civility is not weakness; it is evidence of maturity.

I look for someone who can receive constructive criticism. None of us has all the answers. Wise leaders surround themselves with truth-tellers instead of yes-men. Humility allows correction to become growth instead of offense.

Finally, I look for a heart that produces both kindness and strength. Kindness without conviction can become compromise. Strength without kindness can become cruelty. Jesus embodied both perfectly. He stood firmly for truth while extending extraordinary compassion to people who were hurting.

As I look across today’s political landscape, I find myself longing to see these qualities displayed more consistently in our leaders. That longing isn’t about one party or another. It reflects a desire for leadership that more closely resembles the character Scripture commends.

Perhaps the greatest challenge isn’t simply asking whether our leaders possess these qualities.

Perhaps it’s asking whether we do.

Are we joyful?

Are we self-controlled?

Do we value people over winning arguments?

Do we listen well?

Do we show kindness without abandoning truth?

The Church should be known for these qualities long before we expect them from Washington, our state capitals, or city halls.

Our ultimate hope has never rested in a president, governor, senator, or political party. Our hope rests in Jesus Christ—the King whose kingdom cannot be shaken.

So let us pray for our leaders. Let us vote with wisdom. Let us speak with grace. And above all, let us live in such a way that the character of Christ shines through us, regardless of who occupies positions of earthly authority.

Because while elections shape nations, transformed hearts change the world. ~OC

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Dear Christian Community: The World Isn’t Rejecting Jesus

Dear Christian Community,

I have spent countless hours talking with people who don’t attend church, who have walked away from the faith, or who have never considered following Jesus.

One thing has become increasingly clear.

Most of them are not rejecting Jesus.

They are rejecting what they have seen from many who claim to represent Him.

They have read about the Jesus who welcomed sinners, touched lepers, defended the broken, forgave His enemies, washed His disciples’ feet, and willingly gave His life on a cross for the salvation of the world.

Then they look at much of modern Christianity.

Instead of humility, they see arrogance.

Instead of compassion, they see outrage.

Instead of mercy, they see judgment.

Instead of sacrificial love, they often see a relentless pursuit of political influence and cultural power.

Some churches have become so consumed with defending political ideologies that the Gospel has been pushed to the background. Sermons increasingly sound like campaign speeches. Social media feeds often reflect more passion for political victories than for seeing lost people encounter Jesus.

When political identity becomes more important than our identity in Christ, something has gone terribly wrong.

Jesus never called us to build earthly kingdoms.

He called us to build His Kingdom.

He never instructed His followers to place their hope in governments, political parties, or elected officials. He told us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. He commanded us to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Our greatest weapon has never been political power.

It has always been the love of Christ.

The early Church transformed the world without controlling governments. They had no political majority, no cultural influence, and no worldly authority. Yet they turned the world upside down because they loved extravagantly, served sacrificially, forgave freely, and boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

That same Gospel still changes lives today.

But if we replace it with political tribalism, people will naturally conclude that Christianity is simply another ideology competing for influence.

The Church should never become known more for its political preferences than for its love.

Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by our love for one another—not by our voting record, our online arguments, or our ability to win cultural battles.

This isn’t a call to withdraw from society or to stop caring about important issues. Christians should engage the world with wisdom, conviction, and courage.

But our highest allegiance must always belong to Jesus Christ.

The Gospel is too beautiful to be overshadowed by partisan division.

If people reject Jesus after seeing His love, hearing His truth, and encountering His grace, that is their decision.

But may they never reject Him because we failed to reflect Him.

Church, perhaps it’s time to ask ourselves some difficult questions.

Are we known more for making disciples or making political statements?

Do people see Christ when they look at us?

Are we carrying our cross—or merely carrying our preferred ideology?

The world desperately needs Jesus.

Let’s make sure they actually get to see Him.

May our churches once again become places where grace is abundant, truth is spoken in love, the hurting are welcomed, the forgotten are seen, and every person encounters the transforming hope found only in Jesus Christ.

Because the world doesn’t need a more politically powerful Church.

It needs a more Christlike one.

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The A Side And The B Side

Today’s a new day!

I am old enough to remember vinyl records.

Yes, I know vinyl has made an incredible comeback over the last several years, and I love seeing younger generations discover the warmth and beauty of a record spinning on a turntable. But I remember when vinyl wasn’t “retro”—it was simply how we listened to music.

Back then, every 45 RPM record had two sides.

The A Side was the song everyone knew. It was the hit. It was the song the radio stations played over and over. It climbed the charts, filled concert arenas, and became the soundtrack to people’s lives.

Then there was the B Side.

The B Side was different. It wasn’t always a chart-topper. Most people never heard it unless they bought the record. Sometimes it was experimental. Sometimes it was deeply personal. Sometimes it became a hidden treasure that devoted fans loved even more than the hit song.

I’ve been thinking lately…

Isn’t that a lot like us?

We all have an A Side and a B Side.

Our A Side is what we willingly show the world. It’s our smiles, our accomplishments, our family photos, our promotions, our victories, our carefully chosen words, and the version of ourselves we hope others admire.

It’s polished.

It’s presentable.

It’s what we want everyone else to hear.

But then there’s the B Side.

The B Side holds our fears.

It carries our disappointments, regrets, doubts, failures, grief, hidden tears, unanswered prayers, and private battles that few people ever see.

It’s the side we often try to keep tucked away.

The truth is, God isn’t impressed by our A Side because He already knows our B Side.

Before we ever spoke our first word, He knew every chapter of our story.

He knows every wound we’ve tried to hide.

Every scar we’ve covered.

Every question we’ve been afraid to ask.

Every tear we’ve cried when no one else was watching.

And here’s the beautiful part…

He doesn’t love us in spite of our B Side.

He loves us completely—including our B Side.

Jesus never looked for perfect people.

He sought broken people.

He welcomed doubters.

He embraced outcasts.

He forgave failures.

He restored those who thought their story was over.

While society often rewards polished appearances, Jesus specializes in transformed hearts.

The Apostle Paul understood this when he wrote that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. 

Our weaknesses are not obstacles to God’s grace—they are often the very places where His grace shines brightest.

Perhaps that’s why some of the most powerful testimonies aren’t found on someone’s A Side.

They’re found on the B Side.

The addiction that Jesus broke.

The marriage He restored.

The depression He carried someone through.

The cancer battle that strengthened faith.

The years of wandering before coming home.

The loss that deepened trust.

The miracle that was born from unimaginable pain.

Those are the songs that reveal God’s faithfulness.

Maybe you’ve spent years trying to hide your B Side.

Maybe you’re afraid that if people knew your struggles, they would think less of you.

But Jesus already knows.

And He still calls you His beloved.

In fact, He can use the very chapters you’re most tempted to hide to encourage someone who is walking through a similar valley.

The enemy whispers, “Hide your B Side.”

Jesus says, “Let Me redeem it.”

The enemy says, “You’re defined by your failures.”

Jesus says, “You’re defined by My grace.”

The enemy wants us to pretend.

Jesus invites us to be transformed.

Maybe it’s time to stop living only from our A Side.

Maybe it’s time to let God’s grace rewrite the song on our B Side.

Because sometimes the most beautiful music isn’t the song everyone knows.

It’s the one written in the quiet places where God met us in our brokenness, carried us through the storm, and turned our pain into a testimony.

After all, the greatest story ever told wasn’t about people who had everything together.

It was about a Savior who came for people whose records had been scratched, whose hearts had been broken, and whose lives needed redemption.

And because of Jesus, even our B Side can become a song of hope.

Reflection

What’s on your B Side today?

Whatever it is, don’t hide it from the One who already knows every note. Bring it to Jesus. He is the Master Redeemer, and He has a way of taking the songs we thought would never be heard and turning them into testimonies that point others to His love, grace, and saving power.

Sometimes the song God uses most isn’t the one the world applauds.

It’s the one that reveals His amazing grace. ~OC

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The Words Of A President Matter

Today’s a new day!

The words of a President matter.

They always have, and they always will.

The President of the United States holds one of the most influential voices in the world. Every speech, every interview, every social media post, and every public statement carries weight. Those words have the power to calm fears, inspire hope, strengthen democracy, and remind us that, despite our differences, we are one nation.

They also have the power to deepen wounds.

In recent years, political rhetoric has become increasingly hostile. It has become common to hear entire groups of Americans labeled as “evil,” “enemies,” or people beyond redemption simply because they belong to a different political party.

That kind of language is dangerous.

There are certainly evil actions in this world. There are policies we may strongly oppose. There are decisions that deserve criticism and leaders who should be held accountable. Democracy depends upon honest debate and the free exchange of ideas.

But there is a profound difference between challenging ideas and condemning millions of people.

Healthy debate strengthens a republic.

Demonizing one another weakens it.

One of the highest callings of the presidency is not merely to govern—it is to unite. While no president can eliminate every disagreement, the office carries a unique responsibility to remind Americans that we share a common future, even when we disagree about the path forward.

Unity does not require uniformity.

It does not mean everyone votes the same way or holds identical beliefs.

It means remembering that our political opponents are still our fellow citizens. They are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, veterans, teachers, nurses, police officers, pastors, small business owners, and friends. We may passionately disagree with one another, but disagreement alone does not make someone evil.

History reminds us that nations become strongest not when everyone agrees, but when people learn how to disagree without hatred.

Civil debate is essential.

Respectful disagreement is healthy.

Listening is powerful.

But when our language convinces us that those on the other side are no longer fellow Americans—but enemies to be feared or hated—we begin to lose something far more valuable than an election.

We begin to lose one another.

As Christians, this challenge carries even greater weight. Scripture calls us to “speak the truth in love” and reminds us that every person is created in the image of God. We are called to love our neighbors, pray for our leaders, and overcome evil with good—not to fuel hatred with harsher words.

Our nation desperately needs leaders who will lower the temperature instead of raising it.

Leaders who challenge without demeaning.

Leaders who persuade without insulting.

Leaders who remember that the presidency belongs to all Americans—not just those who voted for them.

The words of a President matter.

May those words bring courage instead of fear.

Hope instead of hostility.

Truth instead of propaganda.

And unity instead of division.

Because America will not be healed by louder voices shouting across political lines.

It will be strengthened by people—and leaders—who remember that we are at our best when we disagree with conviction, treat one another with dignity, and never forget that we are one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all. ~OC

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Faces Covered, Hearts Exposed: What This Train Car Teaches Us About Hate And Christian Nationalism

Courage vs Cowards

Today’s a new day! Here are my thoughts on this photo taken on the Metro in Washington, D.C. The following are my thoughts and opinions. If you happen to disagree with me, I encourage you to take it up with God.

Look at this photo. A young woman sits alone on a train, surrounded by dozens of men in matching uniforms, faces covered, patches bearing flags. She meets the camera’s eye. They refuse to be seen.

This image is a parable. And it’s the opposite of the Gospel.

The Gospel unmasks. Hate hides.

Jesus never hid His face. He wept publicly, prayed publicly, died publicly. “I have spoken openly to the world,” He told His accusers. (John 18:20)

Hate loves masks. It loves anonymity, mobs, and intimidation. Why? Because deeds done in darkness don’t survive the light (John 3:20). When an ideology needs to cover faces to deliver its message, it’s already confessed something about that message.

Christian Nationalism too often puts a mask on Jesus. It takes the crucified Savior and dresses Him in the uniform of earthly power. But Christ doesn’t need our flags stitched to His robe. “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). When we try to make it of this world, we end up looking like this train car: coercive, not compelling.

The Gospel draws near. Hate surrounds.

Notice the posture here. One person, isolated. Many others, standing, looming. That’s not how Jesus moved through crowds. 

He touched lepers when others stepped back. He invited Zacchaeus down from a tree when the crowd boxed him out. He stopped for the woman no one else would look at. The Gospel breaks circles of exclusion. Hate forms them.

Christian Nationalism, at its worst, baptizes “us vs. them.” It defines who belongs and who threatens. But the cross destroyed the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14). If our faith needs an enemy to stay strong, it isn’t Christian faith. It’s civil religion with a cross necklace.

The Gospel sees the individual. Hate sees categories.

I don’t know the woman’s name in the photo. You don’t either. But God does. She isn’t a symbol. She’s a person made in His image (Genesis 1:27)

Movements built on hate don’t see people. They see demographics, threats, problems to solve. They make you afraid to sit alone on a train in your own city. 

Jesus’s first question to people was often, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). He saw individuals. Christian Nationalism tends to see a “nation to save” and turns people into footnotes. When saving “America” matters more than loving the person next to you on the Metro, we’ve lost the plot.

So what do we do when the train car feels like the world?

Uncover our own faces: Confess where contempt has crept into our hearts. It’s easy to hate the masked men too. Jesus doesn’t give us that option. “Love your enemies” (Luke 6:27) includes them.

Sit with the isolated: Who in your life feels like that woman on the train? The Gospel moves us toward them, not away. Proximity kills caricatures.

Refuse the idols of power and fear: The early church changed the Roman Empire without voting, lobbying, or taking up swords. They did it by loving radically and dying well. Our witness still works that way.

Remember what we’re witnessing to: Not a Christian nation. A crucified Christ. “We preach Christ crucified… the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). 

This photo should grieve us. Not just because of what it says about them, but because of what it reveals about us. Every one of those masked hearts was knit together by God. Every one of them is someone Christ died for. So is she. So are you. So am I.

Hate says, “Cover your face and find your strength in numbers.” 

Jesus says, “Take up your cross and find your life by losing it.”

The train is still running. The choice is still ours. Which kingdom will we board? ~OC

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