TYCFM

Some people in recent times have been rightly 'cancelled' - perhaps for the voicing of a discriminatory view against another race, gender or sexuality. Some have made suggestive political comments which may incite violence or hate speech in one way, shape or form. Other companies and corporations have profited for many years over the perpetuation of a stereotype, stigma or divisive ideal. In these cases, efforts to 'cancel' these people and organizations, as a way to cancel their destructive way of thinking is understandable. 

On the other hand, some people have been 'cancelled' for unjust or overreaching reasons as well. There are some people who have made hurtful and regrettable statements many years ago, which has been dug up on social media by people with far too much time on their hands. Others have been 'cancelled' because their view or understanding simply provokes a confronting reality - that there are multiple perspectives on some issues that can exist without the intention to offend. Some of these people, who have dedicated their lives to a just cause, suddenly find themselves in danger of cancelled obscurity. 

When it comes to our Christian walk, what can be cancelled? We, as Christians, have the responsibilty to, and should, speak out against injustice. Where our neighbour has not been loved, where Gods creation has not been cared for and where the gospel has not been lived out in genuine, authentic ways. But the ability to 'cancel', is not within in the realms of our ability. The cancelling, is left to Christ. 

Another journey of LENT has begun, and with it we begin again to pray, medidate and prepare ourselves for the journey toward the cross. The story of the gospel is one in which Jesus himself became the victim of an ancient form of cancel culture - at the hands of pharisees and opposers who couldn't bare to live with the message that the Gospel entailed for humanity. 

At the end of it all, the only cancellation we see, as each LENT season reminds us, is the cancelling of our sins - an event that takes place squarely at the foot of the cross. 

Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, says it like this:

So as you observe your favourite celebrity, business or influencer get cancelled when an outlandish tweet or interview quote re-surfaces, remember this LENT season serves as a reminder - that Christ willingly journeys towards the cross, in an effort to cancel everything that creates distance between you and himself. This is season that sin, in all its dis-splendour, gets cancelled once and for all.  

by Michael Lemanu TCYFM