THE MIRROR
Taking a Stand
As I began writing this series, May the Scales Fall Off Our Eyes, I made a commitment to do so without antagonism, hatred, or empty rhetoric. I have tried to remain fact-oriented, believing that our civic and moral responsibility deserves thoughtful discussion rather than emotional division. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide every word I write. The Beatitudes should be the guidepost that all of us strive to follow.
Each morning, as I look into the mirror, I must answer a simple but difficult question:
Am I fulfilling what the Holy Spirit is asking me to do?
The charcoal drawings throughout this story represent the division that exists within our country. My hope is that, as you move from one image to the next, you will understand the message they are intended to convey.
Many people will look into the mirror this morning and quietly conclude, “I don’t have to. I’m content with my life. Nothing is going to change.” Yet choosing not to take a stand is, in itself, taking a stand. Every society creates an environment that either reflects our values or our silence. By remaining silent, we accept the world as it is. By taking a stand, we declare that we are unwilling to accept what we know is wrong.
Recently, I was discussing with a young woman a photograph I had seen on the evening news showing a frightened Black woman sitting alone on a bus while surrounded by men displaying symbols of hate. Looking at that image, I could not help but imagine the fear, loneliness, and uncertainty she must have felt.
Her response surprised me.
She simply said,
“Everyone has a right to ride the bus. If she didn’t like it, she could have gotten off.”
The conversation continued. She told me she was looking for a strong man—someone who would protect her, defend this country, and stand firmly for its founding principles. She said she could never see herself with what she called a “bleeding-heart liberal,” someone who, in her view, placed compassion above strength and protecting the nation.
I didn’t argue with her.
Instead, I asked myself a simple question.
Would either image be acceptable?
One image showed a frightened Black woman surrounded by hostility.
The other showed a frightened White woman surrounded by hostility.
Would it be acceptable for either woman to endure that experience?
As I thought about her words, I also thought about my own life. I may not be the strongest man in the world. I served in the United States Marine Corps. Life has given me more than my share of conflict. Some encounters I would call victories. Others were losses. But I have never believed that a man’s character is measured by how many fights he wins. I believe it is measured by what he is willing to stand for, who he is willing to protect, and whether he is willing to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
If caring about the frightened person on either one of those buses makes me a “bleeding-heart liberal,” then perhaps that is a label I can live with.
Tomorrow morning, when I stand in front of that mirror once again, I will still have to answer the same question:
What kind of man am I going to be today?
Right now, history is unfolding around us. Our nation is deeply divided—not only politically, but within our communities and, at times, within our churches.
My desire in writing this series is not to win political arguments. It is to encourage each of us to examine our civic and moral responsibility through the teachings of Scripture.
If we call ourselves Christians, we must ask whether our actions reflect the One we claim to follow.
When we look into the mirror—whether we are shaving or putting on lipstick—the question is not what political party we belong to. The question is:
Who am I?
Do the compassion, grace, mercy, humility, and courage taught by Christ truly exist in my life?
Or have anger, pride, fear, division, and intimidation become more visible than the faith I profess?
I also think about the person who looks at Christians and asks,
“Why would I ever consider following Christ when I see hatred, bigotry, or self-righteousness displayed by people who say they follow Him?”
That question deserves an honest answer.
Our lives may be the only Bible some people ever read.
Every morning, the mirror asks the same question:
What kind of person will I choose to be today?
And every day, our answer becomes visible to the world.
— Rollin E. Trueblood, USMC (Ret.)
Sources
The sources for this dispatch are still being added. Until they are here, treat the factual claims above as Ron's own account rather than as verified reporting.