Do we really have to dislike each other so much?

I'm sitting at my desk wondering what I've gotten myself into with this blog thing. What am I going to say? What should I say? What if I say something that makes someone mad? What if people make fun of me because I set the English language, spelling, and grammar rules back 50 years? Then I thought to myself..."If I'm being honest and talking about important stuff then some people aren't going to agree, and hopefully we can all look past my lack of grammar skills. Mr. Struck (junior high English teacher) may not be too proud, but that's okay I suppose.

I think I'm going to use this forum as a way for me to put out there what's been running through my head lately. I'm hoping for some feedback both negative and positive. I had a pastor tell me once that if you always agree with the pastor of your church then you're not thinking. So please feel free to say I'm nuts or agree with me, it'll be a fun exchange.

What's really been eating at me the past couple of days is all this division in the country. Most of the division can be seen in the political arena, but one can't help but notice it in churches too. I believe we've become so concerned with being right, that we have lost our compassion for the other. We've become so concerned with who's in and who's out that we have lost our calling to care for the less fortunate. We've become so concerned with getting ours that we've completely ignored those who can't get enough. We've become so concerned with ourselves that we don't have time for others. What was one of Jesus' mantras throughout most of his ministry? Care for the poor and the less fortunate; treat others as you want to be treated. Why doesn't that permeate all that we do? It doesn't because it's hard.

It makes me sad to see politicians forgo working for the good of the country to make sure the other side loses or to enhance their political stance. And I'm talking about all politicians because it happens on both sides of the aisle and it doesn't matter which party is in control. It seems running the country and looking out for the good of everyone takes a back seat to making sure a certain party looks good and the other looks bad. We're share the blame too because we hold the power, but we choose to be lazy and not exercise it...maybe another topic for another post.

It makes me more sad to see church going people worry so much about rules and perceptions and who's in and who's out instead of spreading the radical love that Jesus so brilliantly portrayed. I think we can all think of examples where we shook our head either reading about such an instance or experiencing one ourselves. I think we are very good about talking a good game, but when it comes to being loving, forgiving, and open, living that game is a different story. I know for myself that's true. A lot of times the sermons I give are more for my benefit. I find myself preaching and talking a lot about things I wish I did better. I don't want to sound sanctimonious here. I struggle just like everyone else.

So what do we do? There seems to be all this division and the more things change the more they stay the same. Well Jesus said it best I believe when he told us that we need to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. (Mark 8:34). We have to stop putting ourselves first all the time. Yes there are certain times we need to be selfish in order to take care of ourselves, but if we always look out for number one then we've failed to deny ourselves and follow Jesus. People don't do as Jesus did because they misunderstand him, we don't follow well because the path is hard. It involves sacrifice. If we're going to help others then we need to give up some of what we think is ours. If we're going to be examples of God's love and forgiveness then we have to live a little differently. If we want to experience true love, true peace, and true forgiveness then we need to let go and let God be our guide. Study how Jesus welcomed everyone, and determine ways in which you can help others in your life. The change can't happen unless we make it. Let's begin making our own corner of the world a better place and see how small steps can lead to big changes.