Opinion: God calls on us to unite
Grace, peace and greetings to all…
It is that time of year where creation is showing off her explosion of color as the trees are turning to their autumn feast of colors. One does not need to travel very far from our area to see the wonderment of the season blazing for us. Then will come the time for homeowners and landscapers will grab rake in hand to gather the different leaves as they fall upon our earth and yards. As a cross country runner in high school and college, I loved running through on the paths that would take me through those wonderful trees; there is a love in creation that I still rejoice and revel in, even though my running days are long behind me.
After the last couple of years in isolation, I am not looking forward to this coming winter. COVID-19 is still very much alive, and with the different variants of the virus, we will be back into the discussion of how to go about it, once again. The issue for me is not whether to follow the rules of masking and social distancing, but how polarized it has become; and with that polarization comes the political divide which makes all the more depressing for many. It reminds me of the passage in Mark 3:25 where Jesus is responding to complaints about how he heals others. The scribes believe he is able to drive out the demons, because he is the Prince of the Devil. Jesus’ response is that even if that were the case, a house divided by itself can not stand. Abraham Lincoln would later pick up the phrase and idea concerning Civil War. Earlier during this continued battle and war against the COVID-19 virus, there were calls to prepare for another Civil War. Whatever the circumstances, be it ideological or otherwise, we cannot continue as a nation and world by dividing ourselves.
God continues to call us to unite, and gather as the people of God. Throughout the gospels, Jesus tells us not to worry or to be fearful; but to love. In that love, we are to remember the “first commandment, to love God with all of our heart, strength and ability; and to love others as we love ourselves.” This is the commandment that Jesus gave to his disciples at his last meal: “to love one another as I have loved you.” By loving one another, we are known for who we truly are, the children of God. With the divide between us, it seems to be getting harder and harder to follow through with this simple commandment, to love.
Is it possible to express our differences, starting in the place of the heart? A few weeks ago, there was a group of young people gathered in the middle of Gaylord complaining about being told to wear a mask. As I understand and what I have heard, others came and started arguing with the students. We will never bring people together by arguing, pointing fingers and calling each other names. Instead of closing the gaps, we only continue to widen the gulfs that separate us.
As a person who has been vaccinated, social distance and wears a mask, I still contracted the virus. Yet, though I spent my recovery in bed, I continue to wear my mask so that others do not become ill. Though I understand that many are concerned, and do not like being ordered to do something like wearing a mask.
How do we start conversations beginning with love for one another? How can we communicate with each other when we start out with different understandings about this virus? For that matter, how do we communicate with each other at all? Where are the common places that we can start from? Are we able to start from the place of loving our neighbor and love for each other?
I have many more questions that only time will answer; but the further we divide ourselves, and cannot find common places to start; we will finally stand back and watch our house, city, country and world collapse. My prayer for you is to not fear the future, or each other; but to find a way to love. For it is through love, that we will be known for as Children of God.
Peace, grace and blessings to all…
The Rev. Ian MacInnes-Green is pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Gaylord.