#LoveWins

When the news broke today that the Supreme Court had come to a long awaited decision on a burning topic in today's culture, my first reaction was to roll my eyes, let out a less-than-shocked sigh, mumble a sarcastic, "Who woulda thought," and take a 24-hour hiatus from social media. My second reaction was to internally grieve for myself and all of the repetitive conversations about it that I would have to sit through for the next 3 months.

My first reaction lasted a minimum of 5 seconds before I broke and started scrolling through social media feeds to read the mixed opinions. Some were joyfully celebrating, some were bitterly complaining, and some were just relieved that the whole thing was over. It then took a minimum of 10 seconds to see that 97% of the world had to write a long, wordy Facebook status or Twitlonger to explain their standpoint. There was an endless stream of bickering between love and hate, but at the end of all the commotion, #LoveWins was trending Worldwide on Twitter and #HateWins was not.

I've never been one to publicly state my personal opinion on political and cultural subjects such as this in any form on the internet, but I happily plan out what I would say if I were to do such a thing in my head. From what words to italicize to a punch-in-the-face closing thought, I think of every single thing I would do to possibly get a point across without asking for too much negative feedback or a welcome-to-the-close-minded-club pat on the shoulder from fellow Christians. I did that same exact thing with this blog here. But then I realized that when it comes to opinion, a happy medium is nearly impossible.

So here I am with millions, billions, and trillions of words shaking through my brain, trying to figure out how to share my honest feelings towards the #LoveWins, craze and still have all of my friends by the end of it.

     The reigns are no longer in our hands, Christians. In fact, they never were in the first place. We want control and we want things to go our way, but we don't want to really dig deep and fight for it. One moment we're praying for a chance to make a difference, and the next moment we're throwing out our white flags with words of dread pouring from our mouths. All because it seems like we've lost a fight that we never even fought for. If we give up and get angry and toss around cruel words because the world acted like the world, we've missed the point. The world made another decision that we shouldn't be surprised by, but what truly matters is how we react to it.

We've been handed a giant opportunity to shake up the universe. This is our moment to love deeper and greater than ever before, and do it in a way that can't be ignored. Love does win. But the Love that wins is one they've yet to see and one they don't understand. It's one that we don't even thoroughly understand. It's the Love that doesn't have to be voted on or fought for or talked about until everyone is tired of it; it's the Love that is always there and never waivers or fails. Let's lift it high and live it loud, my friends.

Here's a proposal and challenge to you, Christians, and myself: let's start a movement. Let's give them intense, burning, radiant love. Not the love they want, but the Love they need. Let's not be known for what we hate, but what our hearts desire; Love Himself. Let's be known for the Love that breaks through the darkest nights, and sets even the most bound-up captives free. Let's be like that city on a hill, not the negative comments on a Facebook status. Let's hug when we want to hide. Let's run forward when we want to retreat. Let's fight like our lives depend on it... because truly they do.

Oh, how different life would be if instead of holding up cardboard signs with angry words and vengeful spirits, we held up each other with compassion, truth, and tranquility.

Maybe we've messed up and missed our chances before, but every day holds the potential for the impossible. This here, this historic day, is our day. It's time to live like it.

"To love someone means to see him as God intended him." -Fyodor Dostoevsky

His.

Valentine's Day.
A day when chocolate and flowers are the perfect match, hugs and kisses are commonly expected, couples show extra affection to each other through printed words on card-stock, and singles wallow in self-pity as another year goes by without someone to make them feel important. This is the day that love is put on the forefront, and shared through words of all kind.

There's a snowstorm tearing through my corner of the world tomorrow, leading churches to cancel their morning worship for the second week in a row. My church is being the minority; the members are passionate about being in this building, and couldn't stand to let weather push us away again. So their solution? Saturday morning service.

As I think up the words for this blog and put together bullet points for it, I'm sitting in the oak sound-booth (also referred to as "The Box" by fellow church attendants) in the back corner of my little church. My dad, my pastor, is speaking on discipleship and sharing your faith.

It's Valentine's Day.

While I sit here listening to my dad preach the word of God, examining all of the red pieces of apparel in front of me, and putting together a 'love' playlist for the end of service, my heart feels as heavy as a brick. Before the service started, a lady from our congregation stopped by my little box to greet me, wish me a Happy Valentine's Day, and ask me about my week. After the typical, "you too," "I've been good," and "thanks," all rung out of my mouth as if they were a routine, the weight of my heart spilled out.

"It bothers me that we're all here for church, and there's so many people making plans to see a movie about false love."

False love.

I don't need to say the movie title that was swirling through my mind for you to know what I'm talking about. It's already taking over your Facebook news feed, Twitter timelines, and Instagram feed. You probably knew that this blog was going to at least mention it before you even got past the first paragraph.

I'm seventeen.
What do I know about love?
How is it right for me to have an opinion on this book/movie franchise when I've never even had a boyfriend?
Why am I even bothering to write this when there's so many other great blogs that explicitly describe why this franchise is so heartbreakingly objectionable?

Respect and Honor.

This morning I put on a cute outfit, painted my face, put mouse in my hair to bring out its curliness, and threw on my everyday jewelry. A normal Sunday morning routine (but on a Saturday). I grabbed a yogurt and some coffee, the church's laptop, slid on boots and a matching jacket, and headed out the door, across the parking lot to the small, white church on the other side. Snow crunched under my feet, a light breeze sent shivers down my spine, and my still-damp hair added the extra chill that reminded me why I so longed for the green grass hidden under the countless feet of white.

After a bitterly cold walk to the cute building, I stepped inside, and found my way to my "box." I made over the cute, love-themed bulletins and took a seat in my spinny chair, before looking down at my hands.

Respect and Honor.

The words were sprawled across the black fabric that was wrapped around my right wrist, waiting for me to notice them.

"This is love."

Those were the words that rushed to my mind at the sight of my bracelet.

Love isn't chocolate and flowers.
Love isn't emotionless words in a card.
Love isn't sporadic hugs and kisses.
Love isn't an erotic, violent story shown through a book or movie.

Love isn't a word or a store-bought item; love is an action that trickles down through the hearts of man to turn eyes upon Love Himself.

Love shows respect and honor, not abuse and dominance; love gives life and joy, not pain and fear. Love began with a Man giving up His life so others could love and be loved. Death for His beloved. Death for you, death for me.

His beloved.

On this Valentine's Day, keep your sights set on the only true Love. In your relationship or in your singleness, Love is waiting with His arms wide open. This Love is free, real, and all you need on this day and every day.

Be His.

Voiceless Vocabulary.

As you all (hopefully) know, I go to concerts a lot. I work for a promoter, The Lighthouse Events, and a website called NewReleaseTuesday. Between the two of those, my life is surrounded by Christian music and concerts. Every show I go to has something new and unique about it; the venue, audience, crew, sometimes just the artists, catering, stage layout, meet & greet/signing, or even some of the volunteers there. The things that go into making a show happen include a large array of personalities, talents, hard work, blood, sweat, and tears, and months of preparation. It all leads up to a small gap of down time the afternoon of show day before the doors open, and then what is hoped to be a successful concert.

The last show I went to was on Wednesday, the fourteenth with American Idol alum, Danny Gokey. There was a lot of hype around it for me because I watched this guy audition six years ago and he was my favorite up until the end when he snagged third place. I followed his career after American Idol up until there was somewhat of a lull between his album 'My Best Days' and the first single off his newest album, 'Hope In Front of Me.' So the chance of seeing Danny was exciting. Six years ago, I never thought he would end up in Christian music and booking a show with the promoter I would someday work for.

I arrived at the performing arts center at the designated time, awkwardly changed my entire outfit in my family's mini van, and helped the two person crew set up the stage a little bit, including crawling around and taping cords to the floor. The afternoon was quiet with the few volunteers, small crew, and promoter's family all spread out through the building. I was sitting on travel cases backstage and chatting with some friends when I started hearing, "Our American Idol is here!" We all made our way outside into the freezing, 20 degree weather to the van so we could help unload the band's luggage, and get them to their green room.

Everything and everyone was inside in just a few short minutes, and after helping with Danny's confusion about thinking a supply closet was the green room and hearing the promoter ask his wife to grab some throat coat tea for Danny, things went back to normal.

After a few hours, some run-ins with the band and Danny, searching the building for a band-aid because of injuring myself, and an energetic soundcheck later, the doors were opening and people started arriving in the auditorium with Taylor Swift filling the space. (Yes, there was totally dancing when Shake It Off played, don't worry.)

The show began and ended without any big problems (aside from the typical clumsiness of the photographer...). There was lots of laughter, dancing, some tears, singing along, and moments of worship. Soon after, the lobby was suddenly booming with people in line to meet Danny. The first thing the promoter said when he walked out into the busy lobby with Danny was, "Danny's not allowed to talk tonight! You can talk to him, but he can't talk back."

Ah yes, the dreaded vocal rest.

A few 'aww's followed but the signing went on, and the line started going by the table where fans got an autograph and picture. And that's where the point of this blog comes in.

Voiceless Danny still greeted everyone sweetly and did the best he could to interact and make sure everyone felt appreciated. He gave hugs, smiles, silent words of gratitude, and did far more without a voice than I can with one. People were walking by me to leave, saying how truly down-to-earth and kind Danny was... and they didn't even talk to him. That, my friends, is so incredibly admirable. Portraying a genuine heart without words proves how genuine it actually is.

That amount of time with Danny was further evidence that actions speak louder than words no matter what the situation is. It's a lesson you're taught from day one, but when you really give it thought, it's a lesson for every age that just keeps on teaching. If my words make me out to be a fake, I'm not doing it right. Same for you. But if my words give just a glimpse at my heart, I'm on the right track.

Here's a challenge for you and I both, friends: let's work on our hearts more than our words. In the end, our voices are only vessels.

Danny did talk after the show... just for NewReleaseTuesday! Check out the video here

You can also view my photos from the show on Facebook or in HQ on Flickr

Twitter: @kyork97 | Instagram: @kristynyork | Facebook: facebook.com/kyorkphotography // facebook.com/kristynyork