“OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!”

Most instantly recognize the oft-quoted indictment from the iconic Queen of Hearts in Lewis Carroll’s classic “Alice in Wonderland”.  The ill-tempered monarch was quick to decree death sentences for the slightest offense. With the world’s focus on a terror group using similar tactics, a strange but thought-provoking comparison could be made.

Contemporary culture is often a reflection of the Church’s failure to adequately  represent the heart of God to broken humanity. Like the Queen of Hearts, ISIS is notorious for brutally beheading all who disagree with their ideology.  Are we guilty of a similar reaction toward those with whom we disagree?  Even fellow believers are not safe as we valiantly wield our doctrinal daggers to silence or shame any who challenge our particular theological preference. (Although using more civilized means such as gossip or Facebook – which are at times extremely difficult to differentiate.)

Perhaps the dysfunction we see in the world is a direct reflection of a persona the church has adopted. Do we more closely resemble the tyrannical Queen of Hearts, or the Father of Hearts whom we claim to love and serve? Could society’s aberrations be a warped reflection of our own failure to engage the culture with a true representation of Christ? There is certainly no excuse for the terrorists.  Neither is there for Christians who forget that we are commanded to honor, forgive, love and serve even our enemies.

Christ-followers must portray a different image to the world if we truly want to see lives changed. It begins by holding the mirror to our own faces (if we dare) and examining what we see – rather than forcing the world to do that job for us.

Instead of, “Off with their heads!” our cry must be, “Father, transform hearts – beginning with my own.”