FEBRUARY 18, 2022

BIBLE READINGS


Ephesians 4:1-6

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.



Hebrews 12:14

14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Let’s Choose the Big Picture

It’s no secret that our world seems more divided than ever. We certainly know that from our own beloved Canada is recent times. Whether it is political parties pointing the accusing finger at one another, and attaching labels on each other, or division we have witnessed along the lines of race, religion, vaccinations, or mandates there always seems to be a tension in the relational, spiritual, and political climate of our world.

This week we have reflected on several different things to incorporate into our relationships with people we may not agree with. Loving people because Jesus called us to, showing respect by managing our demeanor, avoiding fruitless arguments, and empathizing with others to see life from their lens are all wise and helpful approaches. I admit that some of what we have looked at seems like too difficult a task to put differences aside, but it can be done.

We could with God’s help “pre-decide” that we’re going to choose people over policies and relationships over rules. What if…

· we exhibited patience

· we listened to understand

· we gave respect to the other as God’s creation

· we focused on what we have in common

· we chose the big picture?

Let’s not forget that God so loved...the world. Every single soul on this planet, past, present, and future, He loves. While we’ll never have His capacity to love people, we are still called to grow in grace and be generous in love toward others.

Don’t you find that having people in our lives we don’t agree with makes us stronger? If we only surround ourselves with people we always agree with, we’ll never be stretched. And as we learn from others, it’s okay if our viewpoints change.

But, as followers of Christ, we have to remember that adopting our own version of the truth is not what God has called us to. We always line up our views with a godly perspective. We are to live according to His truth.

What we can do is represent Jesus by showing love, respect, and empathy, all wrapped with truth and grace.

At the end of the day, the point of loving people we disagree with is unity. Whatever the issue is, we can choose people first. Because if we, as followers of Jesus, want people to know our Savior and Lord the way we do, that’s where we must start. Let’s represent Jesus well so that others want to know Him. And when they do, the Holy Spirit is quite capable of leading them to adjust any viewpoints that are inconsistent with His truth.

PRAYER

Maybe our Prayer to end this week should be the words of St. Francis of Assisi. Give it a listen below and make it your prayer too.