Lately, I've been thinking about friendship and the mistakes we make. I've also been thinking about right, wrong, and differences. This second one is what I will be writing about here, today.
Reading the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, made me think about compassion and sympathy. His story made me think about our differences and how we are judged and/or are challenged because of those differences. We are easily fearful of the things that make us different and unnecessarily so. As a consequence, it takes courage to walk through the other side of an unknown door and face what is there.
Because Zacchaeus was a tax collector, he was perceived as wrong and separate from the town's people. He was judged for what he did as his work but not on the things that he did in his life. He was neither right nor wrong. He was simply different. I hold my beliefs but rather than perceive others as wrong, if they don't share them, I simply accept that they are different. This acceptance will also influence how I choose to interact with them in my life.
I see this most pointedly in my own life from a political stand point. I'm a conservative, Christian Catholic woman and have also been a Tea Party Activist. I see more division than unity between people and I am reminded that following a political philosophy singlemindedly separates us as much from people as it does from Gad and what He wants for us.
This awareness reminds me of why I haven't joined in the prevailing right/wrong philosophy of some of the TP members I've met. I feel they may be using God rather than being used by God and I'm left feeling uncomfortable and wary. I've also seen this play out on the other side of the political spectrum too. Here it plays out as a detachment from God. The guiding force has more to do with man directed humanism than it does with Christ's message of mercy, love, and serving the individual in a way that benefits all most fully.
Serving takes courage. The courage comes in because we are called to make decisions or take actions based on what God wants of us, not what we will for ourselves. That is always a tricky line to stay on the right side of.
5 comments:
Most respectfully I must say that the other side which I am part of is NOT detached from GOD.I am detached from organized religion. Big difference. Thank you I love you. Happy you' re following your calling.
Well said, Annie. Gemma, I don't believe we conservatives are painting all people with the same brush but rather some of the philosophies, such as abortion and same sex marriage. And, yes, Annie, it takes courage to take actions based on our Christian principles. To both I say, I love and respect you!
NOTE FROM A FRIEND: Being and feeling different and then acting on these, sometimes unconsciously, sometimes overtly, makes for some really weird outcomes in life. This journey with Don and the daily events are making you think like never before. And when you mention the TP and the difference between not only the people in the grass roots, but then also the difference between the GR and what actually went on in DC, this is phenomenal. I can understand why the IRS was roped into service by the WH, btw. (And why Chuck Schumer is so set on eliminating any viable options for TP groups. Kill the clout.) There is life outside of CA. :) Enjoy. Hugs. B
Rebecca will be in San Miguel until Sunday, February 2nd. If she is not able to post a new Haiku My Heart this morning, please join me for a haiku feast, using last week’s Mr. Linky, which is still working at Recuerda Mi Corazon. I hope to see you at the table today!
Magical Mystical Teacher
NOTE FROM A FRIEND (originally left at In My Dreams where this entry is cross-posted) -
Annie, what a thoughtful post. As you know, I fall on the liberal side of the political/social and economic spectrum. I also have faith which is more of a spiritual faith as opposed to specific doctrine or church, although my life in church for a very long time played a significant role. Not long ago I was in a discussion about how a number of us felt odd saying we were "Christian" simply because in recent years it got a political connotation (I was going to say a 'bad' name, but I'm not sure that's what I mean) rather than one of faith. All the judgmental-ness has shown among so many. I just refuse to get into those conversations anymore.
What I so love and respect about this post is both your commitment to faith and your understanding that there are many beliefs and feelings that are neither good nor bad, just different. I appreciate that as your friend. And yes -- there is a huge difference between those who use God and those who find strength in him. You're a wise woman, Annie J. Wiser every day, I suspect, in your new life.
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