This is a little lengthy but it’s been on my mind for a few days. Would love your thoughts.
What is it that we can do to start growing together as Americans vs. tearing each other apart at every turn and news cycle? Especially trying to stay true to certain principles and convictions each holds or does not hold? Is it even possible with such drastic and different foundations under each of us?
It seems like no matter what- and I mean no matter what- if we vocalize a certain belief or passion in a principle we believe in, the “war” is inevitable and we come across as “dividing haters” and not lovers. But when you think about it, some of the greatest lovers in history are in fact, dividers. Who had very strong political and moral beliefs in their day.
I look at the greatest stands certain people took in history, especially at the moment in time they took them, and controversy was truly an understatement for them. From the Founding Fathers, Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, Sophi Scholl, Oscar Schindler, Martin Luther King Jr, Winston Churchill, this list goes on and on, they stood and fought. And they changed the world.
During their “fight”, they had not only haters constantly on them, but people who wanted to kill them. In fact, many of they were ultimately murdered because of the “divide” they caused.
I really believe we are in a cultural tipping-point with so many issues, that whether one vocalizes them, or not, there is a great divide happening right in front of our eyes. It’s also more of a spiritual divide than we think. And each of us is inevitably taking a side. Not to speak is to speak and not to act is to act. It’s happening in each one of us whether we want it or not. We are choosing by virtue of just being alive.
I believe God has placed each one of us into a spiritually (principled) war-type predicament. Where He needs certain people to rise up and fight for His causes of righteousness. But what we can’t do is pretend the war isn’t happening. Because we will either become an automatic casualty, or be fighting for a side we don’t even know we signed up for. That’s how it works.
Some would think that Jesus isn’t a “divider” in some instances, however I disagree. Certain universal laws can and only will divide us collectively if we aren’t in sync spiritually. Why? because certain universal laws cannot be broken or changed. And when the law is either introduced or emphasized, we must choose.
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” Matt 10:34-35
The answer truly is love. But love comes in different forms and it’s not always comfortable.
But should love always equate to agreement?
Can we 100% disagree and still 100% love?
Maybe not, but I believe we can try.
I believe we can have really hard conversations about really difficult topics, and still love one another. Respect one another during the cultural “wars” that wage around us. Because we have to fight them. We must fight them.
I feel like we are more divided (at this time) than I’ve ever seen or felt in my short 36 yrs of life. I know there’s an answer (besides staying quiet) where we can have these conversations -in disagreement- and still somehow grow as a people. Again, that is love.
Christ did it. He too was ultimately crucified for what His Father wanted Him to teach and do everyday. But he did it. He had those very difficult conversations and actions with a complete and perfect love. And the devil and all of hell were after him the whole time. It makes me want to do better. Makes me want to love more. It also makes me want to fight harder for truth in that love. I believe that’s the answer to make a true difference.
