News and social media look a lot like a really long episode of Jerry Springer minus the big bald dude to separate the crazies š„“ (#kidsdontknow) But something Iāve observedā the deeply divided, mean-spirited people I often see represented on those outlets are NOT the people I encounter on a daily basis in our communities 𤨠Given the opportunity we get along pretty well!
Iām not saying that differences donāt exist, or that people arent really mad or that itās all being made up. They sure look genuinely mad to me! š What Iām proposing is that while we stay aware of some deep divisions in our nation we not overlook (and enjoy) some unity and good will among actual people in close proximity around us.
Hereās one of my concerns ā that we try to emulate what we see on TV. We see 2 opposite sides depicted. We feel forced or obligated to take a side. THEN, we go looking for our opponent/perceived enemy in the people we know and have had a good civil relationship with up to now, and (at least in our mind) start villainizing them and working against them. The thing about looking for something? You tend to find what you are looking for, even if it wasnāt there.
But letās assume it is there. Letās assume that the bad ideology and position you saw presented on the news REALLY is the one held by your neighbor. Theyāre still your neighbor! We donāt relate to each other like 2 faces on a screen from a news network or 2 blue check marks on Twitter. We can actually talk to one another about differences, exercise patience, share life and think through things together. Iām in NO WAY suggesting we compromise truth or convictions. Stand firm! Iām suggesting we live with each other in a way that allows truth and our convictions to be communicated and received ā not like many of the examples we see on TV and in News Feeds.
Hey, yāall know Iāve got a Bible verse for this š Hereās a couple:
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. – Romans 12:18
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. – Matthew 22:39
#WednesdayWisdom