I ran into a neighbor at the store a few weeks ago. She's a believer and we spent a few pleasant minutes chatting back and forth.
And then she began to rail against rioters and reparation and other sensitive subjects and vehemently pronounced those who support them as the enemy.
Something in me clenched and tightened.
And then the Spirit invited me to say these words ...
'We've got to remember that the real enemy is the enemy of our souls, not those we may not agree with. He's having a field day dividing us one against the other.'
She halfheartedly agreed and quickly moved on down the aisle to the check-out line. I'm not sure if she knew what I was trying to say, but I think she might have had a glimmer.
In this volatile political season, may we, as believers in Jesus Christ:
* Identify ourselves by allegiance to our Lord and King and not by whatever political party best represents our personal values
* Appreciate and respect the reality that brothers and sisters in Christ may have heart-felt political beliefs that our different than our own
* Educate ourselves, read widely, listen with discernment and empathy to those on both sides of the aisle
* Allow the Holy Spirit to develop our biblical world view and direct our political participation
* Love each other deeply in the process
'Your love for one another will prove to the world
that you are my disciples'
John 13:35 {NLT}
*
Please head right on over ... and tell her Linda sent you.
Dear friends, may we be defined by our beautiful Savior, not our political leanings ~
Linda
P.S. Respectful comments only please.
*
Yes, yes, yes, to all your bullet points, Linda! Now as much as any time, we believers need to be shining the light of Christ, not casting more shade in the world. I keep having to remind myself of that because I'm tempted to say ugly remarks myself when provoked. :(
ReplyDeleteYou sum it perfectly here with your statement and Christ's words:
Love each other deeply in the process.
'Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples'.
I value you and your friendship, Linda.
Thanks for letting me piggy-back off your excellent piece, Lisa.
DeleteAnd this right here is sheer gold --> 'shining the light of Christ, not casting more shade.'
Wow. Yes.
I appreciated your post today - it is a good reminder with everything going on in the world. Our witness for Christ is affected by how we act and react to everything around us.
ReplyDeleteYes, may nothing mar our witness ...
DeleteI love those wise words you were given to share with your neighbour, Linda! It helps a lot to remember who the real enemy is and it makes a huge difference if we can learn to respect others even if we disagree. I came here right after reading Lisa's post and loved what she had to say too!
ReplyDeleteFor many reasons, disrespect is a huge turnoff for me, Lesley. I like what you're saying that yes, respect can be learned.
DeleteI guess it begs the question do we really want to learn to honor and esteem each other?
mmm ...
He is able.
Already been there and commented Linda. Thanks for your thoughts as well.
ReplyDeleteHonored to follow Lisa's lead ...
DeleteLisa's latest post is truly amazing, Linda. It says it all in these crazy, uncertain times. Thanks so much for featuring her here.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Lisa's post was amazing ... and she is too.
DeleteYou, too, dear encourager!
I understand that they're upset
ReplyDeleteat how conditions are;
I symathize, but they don't get
to overturn my car.
I understand the wild red rage
at a world seems not to care,
but they need to turn the page,
and, please not go where
the violence becomes a drug,
and perpetuates itself.
It's too late for a big group hug,
but let's leave on the shelf
the gasoline and homemade bombs
we use to excavate our tombs.
I'll opt for aiming for that group hug, friend!
DeleteWith God, all things are possible. Let's all pray big!
Yes, Yes, and Yes all day long. Thank you for saying it the in a way I hope will be considered by all. I'll probably be linking to this post soon :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love if you'd link up, Debby. That'd mean the world to me!
Delete;-}
Oh, how quickly we forget that we are not of this world, but our true home and eternal citizenship is in Heaven! One day, we will all be gathered around the feet of our precious Savior, and all of the heartaches of this life will be over forever. What a day of rejoicing that will be! While we wait for Him, may He bind our hearts together with love and compassion for the lost, and may we stand shoulder-to-shoulder ever valiantly fighting the real enemy, as you said, sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteI love that you said this, Cheryl --> 'our true home and eternal citizenship is in Heaven!'
DeleteOur first and final allegiance is to Jesus Christ. 'Til we see Him face to face, I want to wear His compassion and mercy.
I wonder what it is that makes people so quick to characterize people with other viewpoints as enemies. Has it always been this way, but it's just more public now due to social media? Christians, especially, should be known by their love, their kindness, their fair-minded thinking. "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17).
ReplyDeleteI bet you're spot on, Barbara about the social media influence.
DeleteBut yes, there's nothing new under the sun. There's much that's been of the world and evil and so incredibly unfair to so many who've been created in the image of God.
James 3 is a precious chapter and I'm so glad you've shared it here. May we all figure out how to best cultivate and show His wisdom and grace and loving kindness, especially in this volatile season.
Well first, I must say that I love that picture of those adorable hats! I totally agree with you and your statement! On Sunday our pastor said these words: Love GOD and love OTHERS. Hugs and blessings to you. Cindy
ReplyDeleteThe pic is fun, isn't it! I snapped it outside a little shop in Annapolis, Maryland years ago. The colors and netting and styles make me smile.
Delete;-}
Linda, yes and amen to what you've shared here. We must remember who the real enemy is . . . and it's not each other. How Christians handle themselves in this crazy political climate will turn unbelievers toward Jesus . . . or away from Him. Thanks for speaking truth to my heart today, my friend!
ReplyDeleteJeanne, hi. I fear that so many the attitudes and actions of so-called Christians are turning seekers away from the church and away from the Lord Himself. May He have mercy on us all and give us the heart and mind of Jesus Himself as He walked the earth, saw evil and injustice, and did something about it.
DeleteBless you, friend.
So interesting that I was just saying to a friend yesterday how it's important that we don't let this situation (pandemic) divide us due to our different opinions on how it should be managed! Human kind is bent to push their own agendas that is not necessarily good for the whole. Discernment, empathy, and not letting the enemy get a foot-hold by our "I'm right" attitudes is imperative right now to keep in love. Important post Linda. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll your observations are hitting home for me, Lynn. The way the pandemic, injustice, and politics are intersecting in this season seems to make this prime time for the evil one.
DeleteI can't help but believe we might be in the last days. Praise God that He's already written the end of the story. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Save us from ourselves.
Thank you for saying what needs to be said, Linda. What a meaningful verse in John 13! I love all your points, too. Oh, if only we all identified ourselves by allegiance to our Lord and King! It's such a scary time. I have often cried what you replied to Lynn - Come quickly, Lord Jesus! The way things are heading, our hearts cringe for what our children and grandchildren may yet go through. Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteTrudy, hello, friend. I find great peace in knowing that God has already written the end of the story. My Mom's favorite verse rings especially true these days - 'Thou art my God, my times are in Thy hands' - Psalm 31:15.
DeleteThere's nowhere else I'd rather be ...
Linda,
ReplyDeleteYou were on point with what you said and Emmanuel Katongole would agree with you. I've included a link to quotes from a book he wrote https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/4902424-mirror-to-the-church-resurrecting-faith-after-genocide-in-rwanda ....Our first allegiance as Trudy said so well is to be to God and not any political party or agenda. Blessings to you.
Dolly, thank you for sending the link ... I'm heading over there right now.
DeleteI'm glad you're here for this discussion.
Oh, YES!!! I loved your words: 'We've got to remember that the real enemy is the enemy of our souls, not those we may not agree with. He's having a field day dividing us one against the other.'
ReplyDeleteWe have got to guard against division and hate. So good!!! Keep preaching, friend!!!
Guarding with you friend. Guarding with you.
DeleteYour post this week surely hit home for me. These dialogues aren't always easy, but they are necessary, aren't they ...
Oh Linda. So much of what is going on today is frustrating because it seems so ... avoidable? Your thoughtful words remind me of the verse that was on my fridge door for several weeks at the beginning of the quarantines: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) I guess we can't manage anyone else's responses, but we can certainly keep tabs on our own hearts, minds and mouths! Thank you for sharing this, my friend!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Lois ... frustration seems to be one of the key emotions this year. No wonder. And untended to, anger lurks right around the corner.
DeleteOnly the Lord can equip and empower us to love deeply from the heart. And to help us manage our emotions well.
If only we could disengage from the emotional fever of this season and bring our best intentions to the conversation...
ReplyDeleteOur best intentions. Love that, Michele. Motivated not by a spirit of fear, but power and love and sanity {2 Timothy 1:7}.
DeleteYes, please.
Good for you for speaking up and doing it so nicely too. You give me courage.
ReplyDeleteThat's thoughtful of you, Jean. Our courage is there, sometimes we simply need something we're passionate about to invite it to rise up from the shadows ...
DeleteYes (!) Linda, may we remember to be loving and gracious even when we may not agree. These coming months will surely be a test for all of us. May those we have discussions with remember our love of Jesus more than they remember our other viewpoints. Heading over to read Lisa's post now too. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteLoving and gracious seem to be in short supply these days, Joanne. Maybe the pandemic stole it when we weren't looking.
DeleteI love this --> 'May those we have discussions with remember our love of Jesus more than they remember our other viewpoints.'
Amen, sister.