The Christian actress takes to social media to remind fellow Believers of an important truth.
While we here at Christian Film Blog do use social media, we've never been big fans. That's largely because of the preponderance of mean-spirited commentary it seems to engender, as we discussed in a recent article about mocking comments directed at Christian actress Candace Cameron Bure. There can, however, be instances of uplifting, Christ-centered messages meant to build up and inspire rather than tear down and belittle.
Case in point: the latest message from Patricia Heaton and the aplomb with which she handled dissenters. In a weekend post, the former star of Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle and the faith-based comedy Moms' Night Out, shares her thoughts on America's recent political turbulence, saying, common sense people likely don't feel at "home in this world right now." Then, as she often does, Heaton turned her attention to Believers, reminding them, quote, "If you're a Christian, you know you were never meant to."
Well now, we could not have said it better ourselves. Jesus himself made that very point to Pilate, telling the Roman prefect that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18). We are reminded of the reality again and again in other Scriptures: Hebrews 11:6 for instance, where we Christians are said to long not for an earthly country, but a heavenly one, and in an older NIV translation of I Peter 1:1 which identifies us as "God's elect, strangers in the world."
Heaton's postulation to that effect, naturally enough, prompted some disagreement from commenters. And while re-emphasizing to one of them the truth of her view that this is not ultimately our home, she did so with the tact and grace we've come to associate with her.
"Respectfully, this world is only temporary. I love many things here too, and, yes, we are called to love our neighbor and be good stewards. But this ain't it."
A perfect model of how to handle those with whom we disagree: firmly sticking to our convictions while simultaneously doing so in a loving way that reflects our Faith in Christ. Well done, Christian sister!