As I read Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 during this horrible time of mourning, revelation, and turmoil:

For everything there is a season,
    a time for every activity under heaven.
² A time to be born and a time to die.
    A time to plant and a time to harvest.
³ A time to kill and a time to heal.
    A time to tear down and a time to build up.
⁴ A time to cry and a time to laugh.
    A time to grieve and a time to dance.
⁵ A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
    A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
⁶ A time to search and a time to quit searching.
    A time to keep and a time to throw away.
⁷ A time to tear and a time to mend.
    A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
⁸ A time to love and a time to hate.
    A time for war and a time for peace.

I am reminded that we, in this wonderful nation, with all the freedoms we enjoy, are no different, in our fundamental human nature than any other people group, nation, or simple group of people throughout history.

No matter how much we want to throw ideals around like traditionalism, progressivism, liberalism, conservatism, or even economic ideals like socialism, capitalism, etc… we cannot escape the simple fact that history goes in cycles. This world is still inherently fallen and broken, and until The Lord comes again, it will remain so.

I pray that no matter where we all fall on the scale of life, that we not forget that we are created beings by a sovereign creator and depending on where you stand, a sovereign lord of our life. We are not called to be violent, but show love, not to be aggressive toward each other, but to show the one Truth, and not to antagonize, but to share the gospel story and let the Spirit lead.

God Bless…