Have you ever been stumped? You wanted to move forward in whatever you were engaged in but you were at a loss. Then another person walks in, lends a hand, gives you an idea, maybe even partners with you on your project and miraculously, problems are solved and you are moving again. It’s happened to me more times than I can count. I learned early on, that I am most comfortable and confident when I partner with others who have different tastes, gifts, strengths and opinions than I do. We need those who have a different perspective around us.
We need friends who don’t always agree with us. We need to be comfortable, not offended, when those around us disagree and offer a different solution or way to think about things. We are so much better when we pull together in the same direction, especially in the church. God refers to us as His Body! Our body parts all look different and have different functions. God’s Body is the same. So, why don’t we just embrace those who are different? Can’t we love someone who isn’t just like us? Can’t we celebrate their strengths as a gift to us?
Politics in America is the most hateful I’ve seen in my lifetime. I hear people calling each other the most despicable names. No one on either side is as monstrous as the other side says. According to today’s politicians, half the people in the U.S. are Communists and the other half White Supremacists. I know a lot of people and I don’t know anyone who is either of those things. Maybe I should get out more or maybe the whole thing is just a big lie designed to make us hate each other. Maybe it’s possible to actually love someone who has a different opinion. It’s my quest in life and in ministry to bring people together who care more about Jesus than their political or cultural differences. I want to be able to literally embrace those whose perspective is 180 degrees from mine. We in the church, will never agree on everything but if we are serious about Jesus, we could agree on the main thing. “Love one another as I have loved you.”