Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Romans 12:17 (MSG)
An Island – Connected Series – Part 3
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3
We are connected to each other, and we are also different, individual and somewhat separate. It’s not either or. It’s both.
“The paradox is that part of what binds us closest together as human beings and makes it true that no man is an island is the knowledge that in another way every man is an island. Because to know this is to know that not only deep in you is there a self that longs above all to be known and accepted, but that there is also such a self in me, in everyone else the world over. So when we meet as strangers, when even friends look like strangers, it is good to remember that we need each other greatly you and I, more than much of the time we dare to imagine, more than most of the time we dare to admit.
Island calls to island across the silence, and once, in trust, the real words come, a bridge is built and love is done – not sentimental, emotional love, but love that is pontifex, bridge-builder. Love that speaks the holy and healing word which is: God be with you, stranger who are no stranger. I wish you well. The islands become an archipelago, a continent, become a kingdom whose name is the Kingdom of God.” Frederick Buechner, “The Hungering Dark.”
So, how do we disagree well? How do we handle the differences between us? The ones so vast and frightening that it seems there is no way for us to see eye to eye?
But try seeing eye to eye.
Before words are spoken, posts are written, assumptions made, and decisions wrestled; see the other's eyes. Stare deep into them. Consider their story, and their life, their heart. Look for their humanity. In it, you’ll find your own.
You’ll find that our connection is not based on anything other than our sameness in value.
That doesn’t mean we keep our mouths shut. That we don’t speak up, protest, tell our truth, or make a stand. But rather, when we do open our mouths and move our feet and type with our fingers and work with our hands, it comes from a place of valuing all.
Understanding that “the life that I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place and time my touch will be felt. Our lives are linked together. No man is an island.” (Frederick Buechner, from Part 1).
It’s because of this reason that many of friends work so hard for justice, and to restore the equality of our common and shared value. I think this is Kingdom in action more than leaving hate-filled comments on social media relating to doctrine and dogma.
Underneath it all, we cannot separate the Gospel from love.
With this premise, grace becomes more about me changing and being open, than me needing grace to extend to others. In dealing with hateful emails and comments, disagreeing friends and foes, grace opens my heart to the questions like: “Do I need to change? How do I see them?”
Rather than helping me feel better about myself in the face of opposition, grace is the humble empowerment to see others as God see’s me, and as I wish to be seen.
So, in our day-to-day living, side-by-side with all of our differences and stories and lives, remember this:
“Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:17-21 MSG.)
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