Common Ground

By Barb Batt

I am trying to be optimistic about our country healing from the political division in the coming year. I have been hearing a Christian song that really applies during these times. The name of the song is "Revolutionary," and it is performed by Josh Wilson. The following are some of the lyrics from the song:

Maybe you're not like me
Maybe we don't agree
Maybe that doesn't mean
We gotta be enemies

Maybe we just get brave
Take a big leap of faith
Call a truce so me and you
Can find a better way

Let's take some time, open our eyes, look and listen (yeah)
We're gonna find we're more alike than we are different (yeah)

Why does kindness seem revolutionary
When did we let hate get so ordinary
Let's turn it around, flip the script
Judge slow, love quick
God help us get revolutionary

I'm turning the TV down
Drowning their voices out
Cause I believe that you and me
Can find some common ground

See maybe I'm not like you
But I'll walk a mile in your shoes
If it means I might see
The world the way you do

When I listen to these lyrics, it just makes sense for us to take the time to listen to each other. We maybe disagree on our political beliefs, but maybe we can find some common ground to build our relationships on. When I listened to CJ Biewenga's sermon on Sunday, he shared that parts of God's kingdom are here right now. We, as Christians, need to show the love of God.

This relationship process will not be easy.  This is true especially if we encounter someone who has a different belief system than we have. We can't do this alone. We need to ask God to send his Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and to help us see the other person as Jesus would see him or her. This will be an evolving process as we meet different types of people. We can learn so much from each other if we practice active listening and tolerance.

Swallowing angry words is much better than having to eat them.

                        – God's Little Instruction Book

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

                        – God's Little Instruction Book

A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back.

                        – Proverbs 29:11 NRSV

Heavenly Father,

Please help us to be involved in the healing of our country. Give us your Holy Spirit to listen to others, and to see people as you do. When there are disagreements, please help us to respond in love and not anger. We cannot do this without you Lord. In your name we pray.