By: The Rev. Chris Harris
There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:28
I recently preached this sermon following the recent assassination attempt of the former president, in which I lifted up our calling as followers of Jesus to be peace-makers wherever we find ourselves — most especially in this politically charged and divided country. This weekend, I invite you to join us at the Sunday Forum, where we will continue that conversation! With the help of The Barthwell Group, examine the skills and strategies for how we might bring a measure of grace to our political conversations and transform them into something that might actually bring us closer together, rather than drive us further apart.
And I get it. This is a topic that many of us would just as soon avoid because it can lead to arguments, hurt feelings and strained relationships. We’ve all had such experiences. But what if it was possible to bring humility and forgiveness to the one area of our lives that seems the most broken? What if it was possible to enter such conversations in a way that can bring us closer together?
Remember, Jesus calls us to love our enemies. But it doesn’t mean we have to like them. And it certainly doesn’t mean we have to agree with them. But it does mean, as we promise in our Baptismal Covenant, to always, “seek and serve Christ in all persons.”
How can we engage in dialogue with those on the other side of the aisle, with curiosity and an openness, that is no longer about winning and no longer about convincing, but is instead, about seeing the beloved child of God that lies within?
How can we begin to change the way we engage with those who disagree that brings greater understanding and hope?
Could it be possible that the very conversations most of us work hard to avoid — might actually be an opportunity to practice our faith and grow in our relationship with God?
As they say, with God, anything is possible.
Come and find out how!