So, I didn’t eat at Chick-fil-A today.

Well, yesterday by the time I post this.

No, this was not in protest over Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. (If anything, there should be a Chipotle Appreciation Day … and I know just the man to lead it!)

No, I am not boycotting Chick-fil-A.

Truth is, I’m no longer into boycotts or reverse-boycotts. I understand that many of my friends are. I take no issue with that. I tend to have very passionate friends and I support them in working out what they feel called to do, even though I may not be passionate about what they are or sense a calling to do what they do. Some of my friends are very activistic (as I have been at times in my journey) and pursue their passion in that manner.

I get why many of my LGBTQ friends are upset with Chick-fil-A, Mr. Cathy and what the privately-held company chooses to do with millions of their dollars. I also get why some of my more conservative friends support CFA (I’ll use the acronym because my hands hurt and I’m tired of typing Chick-fil-A … not a very ergonomic word to type!).and how they have chosen to use their money.

I get it.

I really do.

This post is not an attempt to defend or decry CFA Appreciation Day or the efforts of those who have participated on one ‘side’ or the other. Nor is this post an in-depth look at benefits and liabilities of such events.

For some great thoughts birthed by this event - whether we identify ourselves as Conservative Christians, Progressive Christians, LGBTQ, straight, whatever - I gladly point you to Rachel Held Evans, Brandon Mouser and Jen Hatmaker. They have some wonderful and challenging thoughts that deserve to be considered.

What I would like to challenge people to grapple with is that we are unique individuals, with unique passions (and I will dare to say ‘callings‘), with unique ways in expressing those passions … and, we cannot do everything - nor should we.

If we are honest, we would have to admit that most people care about our world and the issues that prevent us from becoming a fully actualized society. In my frame-of-reference I have referred to this as redemption, reconciliation, reformation, and restoration. Yeah, a preacher’s alliteration. Some things die hard. Sorry.

When I look at our fractured world, I see so many areas of justice that need to be addressed. Just a few concerns that come to mind are: the environment, human trafficking, racism, crime, health care, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, living wage, clean drinking water, LGBTQ rights, marital equality, AIDS, animal rights, homelessness, immigration, censorship, torture, violence, terrorism, poverty, religious freedom … and the list goes on and on and on. It’s rather exhausting - and discouraging - when we think about all this then realizing that this is not a comprehensive list nor does it take into account the myriad of subcategories that could be created from a single concern.

Should we care about all of these things? I believe we should. Should we do something about all of these things? CAN we address all of these concerns? As much as I’d like to, the answer is NO!

Now, remember, I’m speaking of you and I as individuals. As individuals we are limited. We only have so much time. So much energy. So much money. So much influence. As big as our hearts are, there is only so much that we can do. If we tried to address every manifestation of injustice and brokenness in our world I contend that we would accomplish nothing. Nothing.

But.

What if …

What if we threw ourselves into that which passionately grips our hearts and focused our time, energy, finances and influence there?

What if we worked side-by-side with those with similar passions?

What if - instead of demanding everyone else follow our passion and do things our way - we blessed and encouraged others to do what they are passionate about and called to do … in their own way?

Just imagine!

I honestly believe that if we can get to this place of being and acting, then ALL the concerns facing our world would be adequately addressed and monumental strides made.

Shall we give it a try?