Are We Going to Be All Right?

 

I can't remember a time when folks that are willing to think about the future have been more anxious about where we are going, Of course, there are those that have little concern for the future and therefore  probably are not reading this (or any other attempt to see a way forward). Just in case you are not one of those people who are simply content to offer some less than helpful observation like, "We'll get through this and it will get better,", there are some conditions that exist now that are within our control that are worth considering.

Jesus' words in Mark 3:25 assure us that "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Unless you are living under a rock, you have to look at where our nation is now and admit this is a house divided against itself. That is a situation that flies in the face of what the republic is called; The United States of America. Look at these important words in the preamble to the constitution: "In order to form a more perfect union..." There is that pesky word "union" that alludes to idea that our intention is be combination of people that work together toward a common good. We find ourselves at a poin where the fact is we have forgotten what that must look like.

/By its very definition being divided means I'm over here and you're over there. That's the dynamic at play whenever we feel compelled to assign someone to a group or party. If you find yourself identifying someone as "one of those Democrats or one of those Republicans or one of those "anythings" you are banishing that person to be in a separate camp. That's division and those who would prefer to see a nation divided work hard to keep us lumping one another into separate camps with the assumption that what divides us is greater than the goodness that we probably have in common.

What is the way forward? For starters, start talking to people with opinions that differ from your own and recognize the truths that you have in common. At a local, grass roots level, this could make an astounding difference. For one thing, we will find it much more difficult to hate someone we have gotten to know. Differences of opinion are really important and matter to anyone who is not so self-centered as to believe they are never wrong, Our very existence as a democratic republic depends on finding ways to settle differences of opinion in peaceful ways, I suggest that could be done at a small scale of one on one over a beer (or a cup of coffee if the conversation is lasting for several rounds) this kind of "talking things out" requires your clearest thinking. We're currently overloaded with opinions that came out of drinking sessions among those who really had no difference of opinion.

We are blessed to live in a country where we elect representatives to govern us. At no place is that idea more important than at the local level. What is suggested here, I believe is a way forward that has the potential to fracture a culture of hate and divisiveness. It has a chance to make a difference if we choose to dialog with those whose opinions, race, cultures are different than our own.  Are you up to it or are you happy with the situation perpetrated by those who would prefer we be divided? After all, it's a free country. Let's put some energy into keeping it so.