If that was the mantra of every individual, our nation and world would be a much better place in which to live! Sadly, however, we, more often than not, dwell on what divides us rather than what might unite us.
In a normal year there are numerous matters which are divisive, such as ethnicity, religion, and color of our skin. There are also opinions which should divide us. One such opinion is when life begins. If you are, as I am, confident that life begins at conception, the legality of abortions is a very critical matter, as it is to those who believe abortion is a choice a woman rightly has to control her own body. There are other opinions which are important, among them whether you give allegiance to the Cubs or the Cardinals.
Also, more trivial matters divide. I know some people who are offended when they see someone apply ketchup to a hot dog rather than mustard, and I assure you, to them it is no trivial matter! I, myself have found very few foods which offend me! For the record, I prefer ketchup, but much more appropriate are chili and cheese!
As to sports, I have never appreciated nor understood the game of soccer, unlike most of the civilized world! My best physical therapist played varsity soccer for the University of Michigan and taught it at the local YMCA. Though to me soccer was no more than a flash mob kicking a ball, I practiced this article’s title with him. After listening and learning, I knew little more about soccer, but I did the listening and learning because he is my brother in Christ and, thus, I love him unconditionally.
Is it possible to love someone unconditionally with whom you disagree politically? I believe it is. In fact, for us Christ followers it is essential! In this country there are political parties to which we belong. They, generally, represent our positions on important matters. Not all Christians, of course, belong to the same political party, nor should they. God created us in his likeness, with individuality. We do, though, agree on the crucial matters of faith but disagree on lesser faith practices.
Of all things which divide us, none does so like politics! That’s why it is so important to listen to one another, consider, and when appropriate to learn, especially for Christians! Yes, we, too, should have definite political positions, but we ought to be sure our political positions are formed through the filter of our faith rather than to manipulate our faith to conform to our politics!
I wrote earlier about trivial things that divide. Being a Bell I was raised in an atmosphere of debate. We always discussed everything, but never argued nor divided over our discussions. My wife, Nancy, at her first Bell dinner, thought it incredulous, that, having salt and pepper shakers without an S nor P, we Bells spent thirty minutes discussing whether the holes are larger on a salt shaker or a pepper shaker, each with his or her strong position, vigorously defending it! So you would not be without knowledge, the correct answer is the salt shaker!
When it comes to our politics most matters are very important to us, like economic policy, social justice, and the debate over federal authority versus state’s rights, as well as morality issues! Christians certainly don’t all agree on all of these, nor would they be expected to. Yet, we should love each other and show it, as well as unbelievers, too!
Listen to what Jesus prayed to His Father the night before His brutal torture and gruesome death! It’s recorded for us in the gospel of John, the 17th chapter. First, He prayed that the Father would glorify Him and Himself through his death. Then Jesus prayed for those He was leaving behind.
The twelve apostles, who were an example of how Jesus regards diversity, having not chosen twelve men of like nature and character. He, instead, chose uneducated fishermen, a highly educated doctor, and, even, a hated tax collector, working for the detestable conquering nation living among them!
A more diverse group would be difficult to imagine. We pick up at verse 11, "I ask on their behalf ……………….keep them in Your name, the name You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are." Now, we pick up the prayer in verse 20, as He, unbelievably, prays for us! "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they may also be in Us, so the world may believe that You sent Me."
Clearly Jesus intends that we Christians be united in principle and purpose, saying the very salvation of the world depends on it! That is reason enough to work in union with each other, but there is also a very practical, as well as, spiritual reason to accomplish a goal together with others.
I learned this while I was taking various therapies following my massive stroke. In occupational therapy, in addition to teaching me how to put on a shirt and jacket with only one functioning hand, my therapist worked on exercises which would strengthen my abs. In fact, then and now I have the best abdominal muscles of my life, which isn’t saying too much.
I supposed she was building my abs so that I could reach things just beyond my reach because those were the exercises she put me through. Indeed, that was part of it, but only part. When my physical therapist, about whom I wrote earlier, taught me to walk using a hemi walker, he told me to take a step with my good right foot, then putting my weight on the hemi walker, to move my left foot forward a step and so on and so on.
I asked him just how I was going to do that with a left leg and foot which were paralyzed. He helped my leg a little bit, but to my amazement I swung the leg forward nearly completely on my own! He said I was doing so using my abs, calling it compensatory motion!
Then, I understood the full intent for strengthening my abs. It did indeed lengthen my reach, but it was also crucial to my ability to be able to walk again! By working in concert my physical and occupation therapist were able to accomplish a whole lot more progress at returning me to the life I had known before the tragedy of my stroke! This principle of multiplying one’s effectiveness through cooperation is true for most anything we do. It does take respecting one another, though, which is shown by listening, learning, and loving!
I wrote earlier "In a normal year." 2020, is certainly not ordinary. This November’s election ensures that. It is right and proper for a Christ follower to take a stand on issues and / or a candidate, but to be civil in the way we express our opinions. All too often we aren’t (or should I say, I’m not!).
It helps to remember that where we stand depends on where we sit, meaning our views are a product of our experiences. For some of us we fear what could be, but for our Black and Brown brothers and sisters it’s knowing how it’s been! Leading up to the election you’ll hear much with which you will strongly disagree. Instead of saying, "How could anyone believe that?!" try to understand where they are sitting. This most easily is done by listening, learning, and loving!
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September 18, 2020 at 04:15AM
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Listen, learn and love - McDonough Voice
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