When we look at our world, what do we see? Often our minds are filled with images of tragedy or terror. I stopped watching the daily news a long time ago. Despite our mode of media, political correctness has seeped into our lives and dominates discussions—commanding attention in spheres where we least expect it.
Even the beginning of a new year doesn't seem to dampen the spirit of some who are bent on proving that we ought to be politically correct. Take the presidential race in the United States, for example. I remember talking to some of my friends while I was living in California regarding the upcoming election of 2016. Some felt so strongly that they threatened to leave the country if certain candidates were elected. However, picking a political party to side with was also out of the question. Talk about political correctness.
Is it right to be politically correct?
Since when did we become so sensitive? Could it be that our political correctness is actually distancing people rather than bringing them together? My grandfather used to say 'this world is going from bad to worse'. This certainly seems to be the case for today's society; but how we act or react as Christians does make a difference.
The other day I was flicking through the channels on TV and saw a promotional advertisement for the upcoming series I'm a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here! No social media, no microwaves, no phones, no hot water, no electricity—all deprived from the celebrities who get to spend a few weeks in South Africa. It's hard to imagine that we still view the majority world as a place of deprivation.
For Christians, we don't seem to have an adequate answer for the politically correct; but perhaps that's the problem. Instead of thinking of an adequate answer, we ought to be praying about one. Prayer is the most politically incorrect weapon of our times.
Whether we find ourselves in church or in the city, we often neglect to seek out prayer as a refuge, but rather as a last resort. When in doubt, pray. Why is this so? Scripture calls us to pray without ceasing. In our fast-paced, politically correct world, this seems to be irrelevant. But unceasing prayer is in fact a state of mind in which we enter a communion with God that has no limit.
Much of our time seems to be preoccupied with the pleasure of pleasing people. Nothing inherently wrong in that, might I add! But we must distinguish between force and justice, as the cultural reformer William Wilberforce once mentioned. Whether we force our own opinions on others or pray that our Creator will have His way with His creation ultimately decides our political incorrectness, or lack thereof.
The politically incorrect way to live
The times are a-changing. How we act has a bearing on our times as well. With prayer, we don't have to worry about whether what we say can make us feel accepted or rejected. Prayer reminds us of who God is, and who we are—despite what the world thinks of us. And perhaps, that is the politically incorrect way to live.
A third-culture-kid born in Australia to Indian parents, Joseph recently returned from California where he was studying theology, and currently works for the US Center for World Mission; his love of books and writing has now drawn him to PSI.
Joseph Kolapudi's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/joseph-kolapudi.html