Meet Me in the Middle
I wrote yesterday about life being simpler when we didn’t know what we didn’t know. As I pondered that message, I contemplated how the same sentiment applies to politics. Perhaps the whole nature of the political experience has changed because I’m older and more aware. I know the social fabric of our nation seems to be unraveling at the seams, even though there is still goodness and kindness in the world.
I avoid political discussions on Facebook like the plague. Then I saw something that crushed me. It was a photo of a friend of mine doing something that totally shocked me. No need to go into further details. I was hurt and confused and disappointed. But, instead of instantly lashing out as seems to be the modus operandi anymore, I went into quiet contemplation and talked with God about it.
I’ve been praying a lot about our country and those we elect to represent us. And I’ve been asking God to help us all to meet in the middle...to help me open dialog wherever I can...to separate the politics from the person and see them as fellow citizens and not the enemy. After an hour or so to absorb what I saw, I went back and thanked her for opening the door to polite civil discourse. That is what our country was designed to do.
My country grandma taught me my vote is my own. No one needs to know who you vote for. You owe no one an explanation. Later, my friend and I had a chat privately. We assured each other our love for one another has not changed because of our differing political beliefs. That’s the way it should be. Enough of this “us vs. them” stuff.
Be a GOOD HUMAN first. Then be a Republican or a Democrat or whatever is your leaning. Show some respect. Be honest. Have morals. Value integrity. Show empathy. As I contemplated this, I was led to the following scripture:
“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”
Isaiah 58:9-12 NIV
I shared this with my friend. She will see it through her lens. I will see it through mine. That is the nature of the Bible...it is the living word and speaks to us where we stand. But we met in the middle and held each other in kind regard. There are forces at work on every side trying to divide this country. I am reminded of the phrase... “United we stand, divided we fall.” They weren’t kidding.
As I was writing this, a friend shared a video. A thousand strangers came together at midnight...Christians, Jews, and Muslims. It took them one hour to learn “One Love” by Bob Marley and it’s a beautiful thing to hear. I know we can’t solve the world’s problems sitting around singing songs.
Or can we?
❤️
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.””
Mark 11:25 NIV