Understanding Our Differences
"The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding." - Isaiah 11:2
Today is the day after our presidential election. I am seeing a full spectrum of reactions to the outcome. We have friends that are extremely emotionally invested, and others that are less emotional about it. Also, we are blessed that we have good friends on all sides. We have some that strongly support the candidate on the right, and others that strongly support the left.
We realize that often, those on one side can make no sense of what motivates the other side. When this happens we usually simplify the other by just reducing them to someone who is simply bad or stupid. Our lack of understanding can even become contempt for "the others".
I don't expect to correct anyone with this article. I believe that whatever perspective one may have is valid, whether it aligns with my view or not. I'm also aware that even my own thoughts and ideas can possibly be out of line with God Himself. I'm doing my best to see with eyes of Love and I seek to understand my fellow human. One thing I don't want, is to slip back into the mindset where I had contempt for people. It was a horrible hell.
Of course we can't agree with everyone, but if we can be more curious about their concerns and why they have them, we can at least have respect for the person.
The Spirit of understanding doesn't necessarily excuse every thing that is done, but it does explain the reasons. Jesus operates in understanding with everyone He encounters. He didn't excuse the thievery of Zacchaeus, but He understood why the man did it. He didn't excuse adultery, yet He understood, and therefore could care about the welfare of the person involved in it. He doesn't excuse the harmful behavior that I have done in my life, but He has always loved and understood me. He knows the pain that affected my vision of the world around me.
I love how my heart feels when I know that I am having more understanding of someone that sees things differently than I do. It feels like I am aligning more with the heart of my Father. My thoughts are really becoming more and more beautiful. When I look at the changes that are happening in my heart, I can only be thankful.
Love is, and always will be the center of everything. For us to be one nation under God, we don't have to agree on everything. We all come from different directions and we make up a many-sided expression of God, but with the bond of Love and understanding we can find a way to make this nation a shining city on a hill. The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing.