When Civility Fails: A Pastor’s Response to Violence, Rage, and the Hard Work of Truth

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  by Bart L. Denny, Ph.D. Introduction — Why I must speak I have been reflecting on recent events in our nation and wrestling with how best to speak into them. As a follower of Jesus Christ and as a pastor, I believe my calling is to shed more light than heat in times of turmoil, and to offer the seasoning of grace in a culture that often tastes bitter. This will not be an exercise in soft-peddling. It will be frank, pastoral, and, where necessary, unflinching. Somewhere, this post will fail to address a consideration that it might have spoken to. I own it, saying in my defense only that space prevents my discussing everything that might be said on a subject and my views on it. Yet undoubtedly, this will cover more ground than most newspaper op-ed articles. Some readers may focus on one thing I say in the post without taking the entirety of what I said here in context. I pray you won't. But I resign myself to the likelihood some will. What I saw this past week I saw a young...
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The World’s Choice, God’s Choice

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by Bart Denny

Read: Esther 2

When Image Shines, but Providence Reigns

Ever been picked last?

Maybe it was dodgeball in school. Or being passed over for a promotion. Or just scrolling through social media and feeling like everyone else has it more together, more admired, more chosen.

We live in a world obsessed with image. A world that tells us your worth depends on how you look, what you post, and how many people applaud.

But thankfully, that’s not how God chooses.

Esther 2 might look like just another chapter in a Bible story, but it holds a mirror up to the way our world works—and how radically different God’s kingdom is.

Chosen for All the Wrong Reasons?

In Esther 2, we meet a young Jewish woman named Esther—strikingly beautiful, orphaned, raised by her cousin Mordecai, and now swept into a morally compromised “beauty contest” to become queen of Persia.

Esther wasn’t chosen because of her faith or her wisdom. She was chosen by the world’s standards—for her appearance.

But behind the scenes, God was choosing her for something else. Something bigger. Something eternal.

“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
—1 Samuel 16:7

The world saw a beautiful face. God saw a surrendered heart.
And while no one in the story mentions God, His fingerprints are on every page.

God Uses the Overlooked

Esther wasn’t the loudest. She didn’t step in front of the crowd. In fact, she kept her identity hidden at first. Her faith was quiet. But God was still moving. Still choosing. Still weaving her into His redemptive story.

The same thing happens to us.

Maybe you feel like Esther. Maybe your past feels messy. Maybe your faith hasn’t always been bold. Maybe you’re walking through a system that’s broken, or a season that feels silent.

Here’s the hope: God hasn’t lost the thread.

He works in hidden ways. He doesn’t need you to be polished—He wants you to be available.

Faithfulness Doesn’t Go Unnoticed

Then there’s Mordecai. He does the right thing. He exposes a plot to assassinate the king. But instead of being honored—he’s forgotten.

That stings, doesn’t it?

Doing the right thing and getting no credit. Standing in integrity while others get promoted.

But the book of Esther reminds us: God sees. God remembers. And when the time is right—He acts.

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him…”
—Hebrews 6:10

The Crucified Over the Crowned

Esther was crowned queen because she fit the mold. She had the look. She pleased the king.

But the real King—Jesus—wasn’t chosen for His appearance.

“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him…”
—Isaiah 53:2

Jesus was overlooked. Rejected. Crucified.

Yet He is God’s ultimate choice—the Savior, the Redeemer, the Risen King.

So when the world crowns the beautiful, remember the Crucified.

What About You?

The world is still choosing by image. Still obsessed with performance and applause. But God?

He’s still choosing by grace.

You don’t have to impress Him. You just have to surrender.

So today, if you’re feeling unseen or unqualified, here’s your reminder:

God sees you. God remembers. And in Christ, you are already chosen.

“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.”
—Ephesians 1:4

Want to go deeper?

Ask yourself:

  • Am I living for the world’s applause—or God’s approval?
  • What part of my story do I think disqualifies me—when God might want to redeem it?
  • Where am I being faithful right now, even if no one sees?

Keep going. God hasn’t forgotten.

About the Author
Dr. Bart Denny is the lead pastor of Pathway Wesleyan Church in Saranac, Michigan. A former Navy officer turned pastor, Bart is passionate about helping everyday people see God's hand in every chapter of their story. He writes and preaches to connect Scripture to real life—with honesty, hope, and a little humor.

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All comments are moderated. I welcome respectful disagreement with my posts. Such discussions can cause me to consider perspectives I hadn't examined before. However, I also reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason. Why? Simple enough, this is MY blog, with MY thoughts, and I want to have a civil conversation that is, at all times, God-honoring in nature.

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