I don’t have to hear it if I don’t want to,
I can drown this out, pull the curtains down on you.
It’s a heavy world, it’s too much for me to care.
If I close my eyes, it’s not there.
What does it mean to have our headphones on? To hear what you want to hear while disconnecting with the world that’s around you. Don’t we all make that mistake once in a while? We don’t want to see the pain in this world. We put our headphones on, and hear what we want to hear. It means that you’re too concerned with your own life to care for the needs of others who may be less fortunate. We make the mistake that not speaking means that we’re neutral. Or to not act is to remain neutral. However, as the great theologian in Dietrich Bonhoeffer stated: Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. God will not hold us guiltless. By you not speaking up or putting yourself into action, you’re making a statement whether you realize it or not. If we look at the value of each person — rich or poor, strong or weak — we will see at the core that each person is equal in value. Why? It’s because each person was made by God, and we are who God tells us who we are. So, what value does a rich and strong man have? What value does a poor and frail man have? They’re both equal because they’re seen equally in the sight of God. And we are who God says we are.
Imagine this: A young man is walking down a city sidewalk with his headphones on. He’s enjoying his own small playlist that he made. He walks past a group of homeless people. He walks past people who — in their own world — are broken and misguided. But the man that we’re referring to is having no trouble at all. He has his headphones on, listening to what he wants to listen. In his ignorance, he assumes that his inactivity or speechlessness will leave him guiltless. But remember: Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. God will not hold you guiltless. Those are the words of the Christian theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Let’s look more at who Dietrich Bonhoeffer was. He was a very well-known theologian in his day, and he still holds a legacy even today. But he’s remembered for much more than knowing theology. You see, he was a Christian who lived in Germany during World War II. He clearly saw who Hitler was, and Dietrich spoke against Hitler. As a consequence, Dietrich was laughed at by his friends and labeled a political activist. When Hitler later started placing Jewish people into concentration camps to ultimately exterminate the Jewish population, Dietrich encouraged other Christians to stand up against Hitler. Dietrich served as a spy for the allied nations. He attempted to save a small group of Jews, which ultimately lead to his death.
Dietrich showed great courage. He stood to show what is true and pure. He saw evil and called it out. He spoke up and acted on it. We all should follow the great example that Dietrich exemplified.
It is true that it’s a heavy burden to care for those less fortunate. But remember, you might be their only hope. Always care for the less fortunate, no matter what the cost.
