Different but the same at the core...

Today in our sermon at church, we talked about a verse in I Corinthians which described the body of believers, the Church. “…But that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” I looked up that verse and then read back several verses at the beginning of the chapter. It was talking about spiritual gifts. It speaks about the fact that there are different gifts, different kinds of service and different workings, and they all come from the same God. Different but the same at the core…

Today I have been thinking about the past day or so. As I approach my year mark on this writing and running project, I have also begun to start a little introspection about what this time has meant to me and what I have learned. One thing that I have learned is that people are important. Now I knew that at some level but as I have shed the burden of the shame of our situation or the grieving for the outcomes of my own imagination, it has taken the focus off of me and opened a space to connect with others in different way. I have learned that our stories are all important. They are precious and holy times that no matter how difficult, God can work good through those stories. He connects us in our tragedies if we will let him. He brings out our gifts as we deal with the road before us. Those verses in I Corinthians suggest to me that we are connected and we are different. That is exactly God’s plan.

Last night, I watched the Ole Miss Rebels lose a heartbreaking game for a chance to be in the play-offs. We were a loyal and hopeful fan base as we cheered from Oxford or in front of the TV. But at the end, as one of our best players sustained a season-ending injury and his potentially winning touchdown was ruled as a fumble, our immediate hopes for a different outcome were ended. The comments flowing in on Facebook used words like heartbreaking, shock, sadness, and bereft. We identified as a family and were sad for each other, the team, and our player. We all suffered at some level.

We do that. We form allegiances with those we believe we share commonalities. And we suffer together when one suffers. But sometimes, we form barriers with whom we see differences. We judge those differences. Today, it is happening all over the world with various groups. One group judges another and persecutes that group believing that the other group is less than or even worse- not worthy to be. There are Christians being persecuted for their faith. Today is a Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. I heard one statistic this morning that year to date there are 100,000 who have been killed for their faith in 2014. The difference in our faith is bringing judgment down in the form of terrible persecution.

It is easy to hear that statistic and be appalled, saddened, and feel helpless. How can we effect a change on areas so far away? We can certainly pray. But I think that we can live our lives differently and in honor of the message that Paul gave us in the book of 1 Corinthians. He gave us a picture of the Church- we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. And we are different but the same at the core. We are children of God. How could there more value than that? We are also called to love and have been given a great description of what love looks like and the importance. We are told love is patient and kind not envious and boastful. It is not self-seeking or easily angered and delights in truth not evil. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. And, earlier in the passages, we learned that it does not judge. We are not called to judge, only God can judge. There are those who judge in the world. They judge the difference. There are those who persecute on a large scale. And there are those who persecute difference on a much smaller scale. Just read a Facebook newsfeed and I am betting you will see some of that in the coming week during mid-term elections. Some discourse will be focused on truth and respectful dialogue about important issues and other comments just meant to accuse or attack will scroll through.

I sat in a line for 2 hours in the cold and rain waiting to vote yesterday. I bonded with the 4 people right around me who waiting those miserable 2 hours. We talked, laughed, and commiserated about the blowing rain. We talked about our kids, community activities, work and retirement. And, I looked nothing like these other 4. I am quite sure based on some conversations that occurred with the pollsters that I have a very different political bent. I have some strong feelings about the state of the union so I waited in that weather to cast my vote. The reality is that they also felt it was a very important time to cast their vote as well. Not just because it is important to exercise their vote but because there were important issues to address. I suspect that their desire for change was just as heartfelt as mine even if the outcome of their vote may have been different. But my lesson yesterday is that we had things in common like love of family, community, and faith. This little group of 5 had common desires. We were different in many ways but at the core we were more common than not. It struck me that we need to learn to “seek to understand”. Perhaps we can then join in a common points and work together to keep this country strong.

The issue of Christian persecution across the globe or the US political system may seem too big to tackle as one person. The truth is we can pray but the only thing else we can do is live our lives as we have been called to do. We have a perfect image of being a part of the Church and to love. We have different paths and gifts all ordained by God. We have been forgiven and therefore we are called to forgive. And, we are not the Judge. There have been times when I personally have assumed the role of a judge. I have let a perceived difference create a boundary to relationship. I have not sought to understand. And, I have not loved. As I have walked this path of addiction in our family, I have also been judged, felt boundaries raised, suffered due to the lack of understanding of others about this disease and my child. And I felt lonely rather than loved. So, what I am trying to do is learn to reach out to others. So rather than be bitter, forgive. Rather than be fearful, have faith. Rather than judge, connect. Rather than disregard, show respect. Our paths and challenges may be different, but they all matter. My path might be lighter at this moment and I can pass my lantern of love over to illuminate the darkness of someone else’s path.

Today, is anybody willing to join me in reaching across difference in joining with someone else by honoring their story and finding a place to connect? We can learn to suffer and rejoice together. We can be an example of the Church to others. We can learn to engage in difference. And, we can live our lives as an expression of love- one day, one interaction, one story, one person at a time…

I think today I am going to run in love and in support of Laquon Treadwell- may his healing be perfect and swift!