Journeys With Jani

This morning, I stumbled across a Facebook post from our local radio station showing photos of a peaceful protest happening right here in Cartersville. Just a small group of folks standing on a corner, holding signs, sharing what they believe.

They weren’t blocking traffic.

They weren’t shouting or rioting.

They weren’t setting anything on fire.

They were simply exercising the right we all have in this country—to speak freely and peacefully assemble. You know… that little gem from the First Amendment?

But let me tell you what nearly knocked the wind out of me:

The comments.

Comment after comment from people I know—folks who’ve smiled at me in Kroger, sat next to me in church, and posted countless scriptures and inspirational quotes about kindness and grace. Suddenly, they were online spewing hate and judgment, and all because a few people dared to stand quietly with a sign in their hand.

And the wildest part? Some of these same folks tossed Jesus into their rants like He’d high-five their behavior.

Spoiler alert: He wouldn’t.

Now don’t twist what I’m saying. I’ve made it clear that I don’t support riots, destruction, or the circus that so often erupts under the banner of “protest.” That’s not what happened here. This was a group of Cartersville citizens standing on the sidewalk. Peacefully. Respectfully. Calmly.

Do I agree with everything they believe?

Nope.

Do I think our government is overreaching the way they do?

Also no.

But you know what?

That’s not the point.

The point is—they have the right to express their opinion, just like you do. And if seeing them makes your blood pressure spike, you’ve got options. Go stand on the opposite corner. Hold up your own sign. That’s how freedom works.

But don’t you dare show up online, Bible in hand, spewing hate disguised as “righteousness.” Don’t weaponize the Gospel to shame your neighbor. Jesus didn’t do that, and you shouldn’t either.

Y’all talk a big game about grace and love, but the minute someone expresses a belief that makes you uncomfortable, out comes the judgment like it’s your spiritual superpower.

If you truly want to live out what that Good Book says, maybe start by leading with love instead of lashing out. Because your Facebook comment might

Because your Facebook comment might be the only “Jesus” someone sees today. And honey, if He’s coming across as smug, petty, and downright cruel—you might need to reread that red-letter edition.

See, Jesus didn’t cancel people.

He didn’t roll His eyes at them from across the marketplace or mock them under passive-aggressive posts.

He walked toward them. He sat with the ones society wrote off. He welcomed questions and doubters and even those with signs in their hands and anger in their hearts.

So imagine how He’d feel watching His name get dragged into internet comment sections full of sarcasm and shame. I have a feeling He’d flip more than just a few tables.

Here’s the deal: You can love your country and disagree with your neighbor at the same time. You can feel uncomfortable with someone’s message and still choose to act with grace. And you can absolutely scroll past something you don’t like without dropping a hateful comment that makes Jesus cringe.

We don’t have to agree on everything. Lord knows we won’t. But if we claim to be people of faith—if we’re gonna slap the “Christian” label on our Facebook bios and car bumpers—then we better be ready to back it up with how we treat people, especially when we disagree.

Because love isn’t loud and mean.

Love doesn’t show up in the comments section with a Bible verse and a dagger.

Love is patient. Love is kind.

(And if those words sound familiar, it’s because they didn’t come from a Hallmark card. That’s straight Scripture, friend.)

So the next time someone chooses to stand up and speak out peacefully—whether or not it aligns with your beliefs—maybe pause before jumping to judgment. Maybe try humility instead of hostility. Maybe try remembering that one day you might be the one on that corner, needing a little grace.

Because at the end of the day, I’ll say it again: Peaceful protest is not a sin. But hypocrisy? That might be.

Mic drop: Jesus didn’t come to shut people up—He came to set people free.