I read an editorial recently by a woman who had spent some time overseas as a missionary. She said that as she was leaving the states for the first time, a former missionary told her, "Tell yourself often, 'I could be wrong,'" He explained that humility is one of the most important virtues to take with you into another culture. The writer then correlated that thought to the culture of politics.
I am thrilled that this election seems to be bringing in large numbers of voters. I am thankful that so many people are passionate about bettering our country. But with passion often comes sharp words and heated tempers. So, I would like to challenge each of us, in our most determined views to remember, "I could be wrong."
Oh, many of us -- myself included -- have scriptural reasons for believing what we believe and voting the way we will vote. But, I could be wrong. Scripture and my faith hold me to a view that I should support one thing and should be against another. Some issues are huge for me because of my faith. But, I could be wrong. I know that other Christians don't see the same issues as huge, and have other reasons that they think my vote is going against scripture and destructive. I have to be willing to admit that they may have a point.
Humility must not only be willing to believe that there is a possibility that I am wrong, humility is quick to listen and slow to speak. There isn't much of that happening during the political season. We all may need to make a resolve to listen a little more and speak a little less. Heaven knows the world could use it the next 12 days (thank GOODNESS it's only 12 more days!!)
Even if I can in no way figure out how someone sees 'x' and 'y', and decides that 'z' must be a logical conclusion to those two facts, I still am called to treat that person with dignity. They are a child of God -- that voter/ politician/ journalist/ church member screaming why my thoughts are stupid, I am called to not only love that person, but treat them with honor. Oh, make no mistake -- because I am only human, sometimes the best I can do to honor a person is avoid. The Spirit has much more holiness to instill in me before I am able to honor those who berate me. But I believe that I am called to just that.
Just my thoughts, rattling around my head, inspired by the editorial. I could be wrong.
5 comments:
Excellent post, Sarah. I shared it with one of my groups.
Fantastic post, Sarah. You always make me think.
Well said.
Indeedy doo-dah. I agree. And I vote. . .but my own thoughts on who is elected and how they are to be treated goes right back to scripture. . .I Tim. 2:2, Titus 3:1, Romans 13:1-7. I am not scholar, but I'm certain that whether God places people in positions of power or ALLOWS them to be there, He will use them and their time in office for His will.
Thanks for an important perspective, Sarah, especially at this time of year. It's especially nice since I just came from a blog where the blog piece and the vast majority of the comments sarcastically ripped to shreds as un-Christian, wrong, stupid, etc. etc. anyone who disagreed with them in any way.
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