Even when minds disagree, open hearts find much unity and love. Closed hearts, however, succumb to anger and hostility. I’ve conversed with and listened to people of many different ethnicities. When I do, I’m always amazed at how similar we are.
It’s dangerous for politicians to revel in insulting and hateful rhetoric without regard for the consequences of their rambling. To support unkindness and bullying in politics is to approve of it.
The more people boo each other, the closer they get to a boom in their society that leaves everyone in pain. Wake up your heart. Let it care deeply for the people who disagree with you. Speak truth, but do it with kindness and respect. Open hearts will automatically connect with each other.
Some people act like their mission is to cause division. Too often, people who say their beliefs are good, are willing to say and do bad things to people who disagree with their beliefs. Differences between people become a problem when they’re mixed with slander and accusation.
Pride puffs up the mind. Love and openness tenderize the heart. The pride in people collides. The love in people embraces. The mind analyzes and divides. The heart cares and connects.
The number of things that all people share in common are massive. Although the number of things that divide us are minimal, we tend to focus on them. Most of the divisiveness in this world has been built on propaganda and illusion.
My people are the human race. The risen Jesus makes me love everybody. You can see your group as separate from other groups of people, or you can see your group as a small part of humanity.
When Christians divide over politics, it means that one side or the other (or both) has put politics ahead of the living Jesus. Christ-followers belong to the same Jesus. If we humbly follow and obey Him, there’s unity. If we don’t, divisiveness is rampant.
Instead of calling people working for racial justice “Marxists,” perhaps Christians should jump in and lead the way to healing. We need to boldly address the harsh, uncomfortable facts of history without accessing present-day blame, because people alive today had nothing to do with the events of 80 (or more) years ago. No person alive today created America’s racial divide, but anybody can be a bridge builder. Check out my book: Off the RACE Track.
