I know a lot of people. Each one is unique. Some are friends. Some are acquaintances. Some are colleagues. Some are friends of friends. Some are politicians. All have one thing in common. They want me to choose.
We all must make choices. And frankly, I don’t mind making choices . . . when the time is right.
I make choices all the time. And I make choices on the headline issues of today. To the best of my ability, I work hard at conducting my life in accordance with my beliefs and within the laws of society. I believe that there is right or wrong and I believe that God has all of that sorted out. And I try my best to live my days and nights doing what He wants. I choose daily. But don’t make me choose between people.
Don’t make me choose between the conscientious law enforcement officer who risks her life in complex, life-or-death moments and vocal activists who point out that our systems for justice are racist and discriminate against people of color.
Don’t make me choose between friends who hold a traditional view of marriage and those who do not.
Don’t make me choose between those who watch their young people die on the streets as victims of gunfire and those who champion their right to keep and bear arms.
Don’t make me choose who I will love, whose rights I will protect, and which individuals will be my friends.
Don’t make me choose between people.
[quote]If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. . . . Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:8-13[/quote]God makes no choices on who He will love. I have no choice, but to love everyone.
This blog immediately made me think of William Ury’s “Getting to Yes” and the idea of separating the people from the problem and focusing on positions not interests … similar to our email exchange recently. We can and should love all people, including those we disagree strongly with, while still holding true to a belief system that may differ from the other person or even a belief system that is in direct contrast to that person’s actions. Too often people cut one another out of their lives because they are unable to hold the space for loving the person while opposing their ideas and/or actions, which is too bad because progress can only be made together.
Thanks, Robyn! I agree. “Progress can only be made together.” So very true.