Being “canceled” doesn’t mean you’re not doing a good job. It may mean just the opposite.

2 min read

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 

John 6:66-67

Fear of cancellation is a new phenomenon, but not really. The fear of cancellation is actually just the age-old fear of rejection, but in updated form.

Since the Fall, people have been inclined to cancel those they don’t like or with whom they don’t agree. That’s nothing new. And this possibility has always been something that we as humans fear in the core of our being. To be rejected by anyone is difficult. But to be rejected by an entire community, this is our worst nightmare.

We crave acceptance. We dread rejection.

Whether by ignoring, avoiding, or even going as far as eliminating, humanity has always found a way to cancel those who don’t measure up. Now, technology just makes the process faster, more humiliating, and available for public consumption. Like the blood-thirsty Roman colisseums from antiquity, the cancellation game has once again become a spectator sport.

And the angry crowd cheers.

Once upon a time, a man was canceled, only to reappear again but this time he would be cancellation-proof. His name is Jesus and he was canceled on a cross. His trial played out in the media and ultimately the mob got what they wanted – crucifixion. Not only did people “unfollow” him, they eliminated him. Or, so they thought.

Like the blood-thirsty Roman colisseums from antiquity, the cancellation game has once again become a spectator sport.

But Truth is irrepressible. You can put it down all you want, but it will rise again and again. Truth is like that.

As the case of Jesus Christ vividly illustrates, the court of public opinion can be devastatingly wrong. Millions may agree, but truth has never been based on a majority vote or cultural dictates. Truth is truth. And love, if it is really real, will not suppress truth but rejoice in it.

Enough of the fear of cancellation. It’s time to rejoice in the Truth.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.