I read yet another Facebook post with an alarming headline
and asked, “Could it really true?” With some research I found that that the
post, like so many these days, (from all parts of the political spectrum) chose
to ignore the whole story and the context. As a result the report was alarming
but untrue, more gossip than news, looking for to inflame emotion more than to
inform. I am refusing to play that game
any longer. This has become an issue of Christian life for me. We know how damaging a person can be who likes
to ‘stir the pot’ in our workplace or family, don’t we? For reasons I find
incomprehensible, some seem to enjoy keeping the drama going, telling half of
the story so that people are divided and confused.
It is a wrong that we need to work to make right! The book of Wisdom says this: "It is to a man’s honor to avoid
strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel." (Proverbs 20:3, NIV) "Fire
goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. A quarrelsome
person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights
wood." (Proverbs 26:20-21, NLT) Jesus taught us that when we create peace, we reveal
the heart of our Father. There is a promise for those who build bridges instead
of throwing bombs. "God blesses
those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God."
(Matthew 5:9, NLT)
Repeatedly the Word urges followers of Christ to be people
of self-control, who are temperate, who are sober-minded. That demands
much of us – taking time to think – avoiding a reaction – listening even more than
we speak. Easy? Not at all, especially about those things for which our
convictions go deep. America needs a lot less incendiary opinions and a lot
more thoughtful people who work to create cooperation. Like it or not, public
policy that works never is a complete win for every side. Our nation works best
when we are moderate, when we work toward goals even as we understand that many
things take time, that problems created by decades of poor choices cannot be
solved with some draconian law that rips up people’s lives. In our present time
with so many challenges tearing us apart, when even national leaders appear to
be intent on leveraging every issue for the gain of their party, we who are in
Christ have an obligation to be truth-seekers. I assure you that the truth is much more complex
than most of our media reports indicate.
The same principle applies in our families, in our neighborhoods,
and in our churches. Are we saying
things that divide, that tear people apart, or are we using word that encourage,
that draw people towards goals that are bigger than their own self-interest? Do
we love drama or feel the need to inflame emotions because we think it is the
best way to provoke change?
Paul wrote practical words to a couple of people he loved
who were tearing up a church. " Now
I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle
your disagreement." (Philippians 4:2, NLT) In his
letter to the church in Ephesus, he spoke to similar problem. "As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you
to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own.
Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each
other. Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by
living at peace. All of you are part of the same body. There is only one Spirit
of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God’s
people." (Ephesians 4:1-4, CEV) The Corinthian church was torn apart by
factions each insisting that they had found the only way. I can almost Paul weeping as he writes to
them: “I appeal to you, brothers, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that
there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in
mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me
that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I
follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephasa”; still
another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ
divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)
I am guilty of allowing passionate conviction to obscure my
love for others. God forgive me. And, if I have let my words be harsh, I ask
your forgiveness. Let us, for the sake of Christ Jesus, commit ourselves to
being those who seek peace. No, we do not have to do it at the expense of the
truth and there will be times when conflict is sharp, but our aim is to bring
light, to reason, to continue dialogue even with those who are opposed to us.
Here is a word from the Word. May the Spirit help us to understand.
"Finally, all of you, live in
harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate
and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with
blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must
seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his
ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those
who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:8-12, NIV)
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
St. Francis of Assisi
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