EMB EP50 | When Everything Is On Fire: A Call to Reject the Reduction of Humanity

I almost didn't record this episode. I've been sitting with these thoughts for weeks, wrestling with whether to speak, when to speak, and how to speak about the cultural moment we're in.

I've been thinking a lot about September 11th lately, about who we were in those days and how we were. Republicans and Democrats wept together. Strangers helped strangers. We saw each other as Americans first, humans first. For all the horror of that day, there was something unexpectedly beautiful about how it stripped away our superficial divisions and revealed our shared humanity.

What a stark contrast to where we find ourselves now.

In this episode, I'm wading into some deep waters about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the response from our culture, and the heartbreaking disunity I've witnessed even among believers. I share why I've drastically limited my social media intake and why I believe we were never intended to bear the weight of the world on our shoulders. I talk about the sacred rhythm of listening first, pondering deeply, and responding with compassion and intention.

I also get vulnerable about my own convictions... why I'm choosing to be a hope-bringer rather than adding fuel to the flames, and what it means practically to guard our gates, embrace the power of the pause, and look for the image of God even in those who make our blood boil.

Everything is on fire, but we don't have to add fuel to the flames. We can choose to carry water instead of matches.

This one's personal, friends. And I'm grateful you're here for the journey.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction: A Call to Reflect

03:34 | The Weight of Words: Navigating Anger and Grief

06:45 | The Impact of Digital Overload on Compassion

09:38 | The Importance of Silence and Listening

12:41 | Shared Humanity in Times of Crisis

15:10 | Rejecting Dehumanization: Embracing the Imago Dei

18:06 | Practical Steps to Foster Hope

22:21 | Navigating Cultural Moments with Wisdom

25:14 | Personal Reflections on Recent Events

29:16 | Choosing Hope in a Divided World

Shannon's Website: shannonsuzannescott.com
Shannon's Instagram: instagram.com/shannonsscott