We’ve all heard sayings such as “silence is golden,” “silence speaks volumes,” or “if you remain silent, you could be a part of the problem!”

All depends, right? Depends on what’s going on!

If you are defending your country, your future, or your children’s and grandchildren’s future, someone or everyone should speak up loud and clear. However, I don’t agree with the chaos that’s wreaking havoc on college campuses today.

Speak, write, listen, etc. and maybe others will do the same. It’s important for all of us to hear both sides, or all sides of a matter. If you only listen to the far left, hard left, or as some say, the “lunatic left,” please do some hard listening to someone else. If you are of the MAGA “right,” do the same. (What does it mean that we have two ears and one mouth?).

Can one stop in the “middle?” Is that a good place to get run over or to keep out of the ditches?

Sift everything you read. Don’t follow a crowd just to go along. The multitude has been known to be wrong, “Amen!”

How many times has the “power of one” saved the day? As a sign in the journalists’ room reads, “If your grandmother says she loves you, check it out!” If you can prove that you are right, you owe it to your cause to speak up. Is conservatism better than liberalism? Is “Make America Great Again” better than giving it up to globalism? Is a “one world” view the answer? Just rule out nationalism?

What is working or not working? Step back and evaluate the outcome of what people are fighting about!

I have always appreciated The Four Way Test of Rotary International: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all? How would your position, plan or preference score under those questions?

Here is the ultimate test of all: What does Almighty God of heaven and earth expect of me? Yes, call me prejudiced, opinionated, hymn-singing, Lord’s Supper eating, Bible-thumping, Bible-believing, forgiven sinner, far from perfect but trying to follow a perfect Lord who died for me.

No ayatollah, communist regime, no human synod, no Marxist, socialist, no political party can ever do for me what Jesus Christ has done. It is to Him that all of us will give an account.

R.G. Lee said, “Payday some day!”

V. E. Howard closed every sermon with the question, “Are you listening?”