| Friends,
I want to share some thoughts that are in my heart and mind today. Whether you feel like we won or we lost yesterday, we are all one in Christ and we must work to remember that we not only walk in our own shoes, we are called as Christians to walk in one another’s shoes. This keeps us open to each other’s perspectives and reminds us that we are all in this together. Let us, as Christ’s followers, walk together.
Romans 12:5: “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.”
And still we wake up –
Some numb and in despair
Some celebrating and full of joy.
We wake up to an unusual time in our country.
A country that some see as splintered.
A country that others see as unified.
A country that is us.
Neighbors are still getting their children ready and off to school.
Families are having conversations about
What went so right
And for some, what went so wrong.
Poverty is still keeping its tight grip
Around the hearts and lives of millions.
And still we are members of one another.
We wonder how we will come together.
We pray that there will be an end to violence.
We pray that we will be able to be loving members of community.
Still we follow Jesus Christ.
The one who calls us to compassion.
The one who loves us completely.
The one who invites us to love others – unconditionally.
Still we know that this decision must move us to
See beyond ourselves and
Love beyond ourselves and
Hope beyond ourselves.
It must call us to honor the worth of all persons.
No matter.
No matter.
Still we welcome the stranger and know
That we are all strangers.
Still we see that the world
Is in pain.
Still we wake up to this world.
And still we let the Spirit breathe.
Is there healing in our midst or division?
Perhaps today it is to early to ask
And too early to tell.
But still I pray.
And still we pray.
Let us be gentle with one another.
Let us listen and learn from one another.
Today, like all days,
We who are many:
Let us be one body in Christ.
Who loves each of us.
Still.
Shandra Newcom
May we be gentle with and kind to one another today. And may we remember that Christ is our hope and God’s Reign our desire. |
