I know it seems like everyone is talking about cancel culture. Cancel this. Cancel that. Don’t cancel. Stop canceling. Cancel culture has become so big that it is actually now in the dictionary. At least it is on Dictionary.com. (Do people even own actual dictionaries anymore? I think my daughter was gifted one at school. She thought it was so fascinating.)
So what about you? Are you tired of hearing about cancel culture? Or does hearing about the latest cancel subject get you geeked? Perhaps you are inspired by the rise in action against injustices, or unscrupulous behavior by public figures. Or perhaps you’ve had enough with the mob mentality people who seem to enjoy hearing themselves speak about things they know nothing about. In all honesty, I’ve probably shared both sentimentality extremes at different points since I first heard the phrase.
You’re still wondering what Dictionary.com says aren’t you? Well, just for fun, or in case you’ve been living under a rock and aren’t too sure what this cancel culture stuff is all about, Dictionary.com defines cancel culture as:
- the phenomenon or practice of publicly rejecting, boycotting, or ending support for particular people or groups because of their socially or morally unacceptable views or actions.
- the shared attitudes and values within a particular segment of society that lead to such public rejection of particular people or groups.
So what can we make of this cancel culture rage? Is there something more to be said about all this, or is this just another trend ready to be phased out by the new year? Here is what I was reflecting on the last time I heard about someone getting canceled.
Cancel culture proclaims the existence of God. Yes, cancel culture points us to a true God. Stay with me and I’ll explain. Behind cancel culture is a group of people desiring something more. Whether or not you agree with a said group, their desire for something greater than what they see or are experiencing is undeniable. There’s a desire for truth… justice… morality… righteousness… But isn’t that what God is offering? What he desires for us? And isn’t that who he is?
“I desire mercy…” Hosea 6:6
“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4
“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 1 Corinthians 5:21
I contend that our outrage and passion for more, however misplaced it may be at times, stems from being created in the image of a God who is merciful, loving, honest, righteous and just. We are uncomfortable with the status quo and are supposed to be because our hope is to be in someone and something greater.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8
So go ahead cancel your subscription. Stop following the latest subject of cancel culture. Or don’t. But the next time you think of cancel culture be reminded of Him who is greater. Seek the goodness and greatness of a God who offers you all that you want and more.
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
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