We have become so uncivil towards each other in America. When democratic Senator Feinstein gave republican Senator Graham a hug after a very contentious meeting on Capital hill people were outraged. Some were calling for her immediate removal from office. Earlier she had thanked Senator Graham for what she saw as a very fair and impartial hearing on the Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.

     She even said it was the best hearing she had attended in many years. This was just too much for some. What kind of nonsense is this? How in Sam Hill could you not only praise an opponent but then actually give him a hug?!? Something happened that moment that only lasted a few seconds. While some were calling for her head on a platter others were quite honestly pleasantly surprised!

     So much rancor, so much hatred, so much arguing the end of the world if we were for a moment to set aside our differences and see each other as human beings instead of mortal enemies. One hug melted so much hurt and pain. A moment of civility. 

     Unfortunately this same scenario plays out in too many families, work places, and yes even churches. Today’s verse is pleading that we all learn to get along with each other. The Apostle Paul writes, “May God who gives patience and encouragement grant you this”. He writes this because he knows that for us to live in harmony we will need God’s power working some patience and encouragement.

     Boy, do we need it today not just in the political arena but in every facet of life. Maybe, just maybe there is someone you could hug today and begin to melt not only their hard heart but yours as well.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
     A beautifully honest prayer. No one likes to feel vulnerable. If you have felt the brutal pain of betrayal, the almost inconsolable ache of rejection, or the frequent pangs of desperation and self-loathing then you know how truly difficult it is to become vulnerable again. We prefer the safety of withdrawal, the security of isolation and the warmth of silence.      We feel safe. We will eventually find that to truly love and be loved we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable. There is no love without vulnerability. As Christ followers we are committed to living out this life of faith and love. The first one to whom we must become utterly vulnerable to is our Heavenly Father.      He will never betray us, abuse us, diminish us, nor abandon us. He already knows everything about us and not only loves us but he likes us too! His overwhelming love draws us closer to him. He woos us to himself. He invites us to an honest relationship with himself. No hiding, no masks, no illusions. It is
Read more
Image
     I always forget something whenever we take an out of town trip. It never fails. I’m getting better but still something is left out. There’s just so many things to remember. Now with all of our electronic devices, chargers, headphones, iPad, Apple Watch, iPhones, and the list goes on! Remember how easy it was when you were a kid and your parents worried about all that packing? All you had to do was jump in the car and wait for a snack and enjoy the ride.      Man, those easy carefree times are gone and they don’t come back even when you’re an empty nester. Just packing for ourselves is a chore. At least we still get a snack on the road trip. Life is hard but God is so good. We go through many different times and seasons both the good, the bad, and the ugly. Yet through all of our earthly travels God proves to be our resource for every part of that journey. We often forget to pack the right essentials for what life throws at us in these seasons.      Often we pack the wrong things.
Read more
Image
     Every commercial is a temptation, an enticement, a lure, to purchase a product or service. It’s the newest, better, car model. It’s the faster, lighter laptop or the quicker cheaper service guaranteed! Like all enticements they come with a promise of fulfillment, satisfaction, and peace of mind. We convince ourselves, and at times our significant other, just how much we actually need it. How our lives would be bettered by it. Maybe even how we would save both time and money!      The allurement to sin is much the same as a commercial. It tells us first how miserable we are without it. It tells how much better it will be once we have it. Like a politician it promises way more than it can ever deliver. Truth be told sin is fun but only for a very short moment. Then comes the shame, the guilt, the sleepless nights, the thought of getting found out, the thought of trying to explain the why of it all.      Then comes the blame game because it really wasn’t our fault. Someone else made
Read more