Love Thy Neighbor — Especially Now
Our willingness to reach across the aisle and hold the hand of someone who's hurting could begin to bridge the divide in this polarized country.
Now that the 18 months campaign ordeal is over, the election settled, the vitriol calmed (for most of us) and the adrenaline stilled, how do we handle the inevitable tense conversations with friends and families over the incredibly divisive election season and outcome? The ballots may be cast and counted, but neighbors are still scared, parents still angry, co-workers still frustrated, friends still frightened.
Those who supported Hillary Clinton did not wake up happy Wednesday morning. They are suffering. Here are a few Facebook posts from Clinton supporters on The Asbury Park Press page:
How do we, as Christians, lovingly engage with them in productive conversations about what happened without driving a wedge between relationships any further? How can we begin the process of uniting relationships and healing the scars on our nation?
We have a higher calling than simply celebrating a presidential election — how can we minister Christ’s love to those who are hurting?
Jesus’ words about loving our neighbor is as valid and relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. In Mark 12:28-31, a scribe asked Jesus which commandment was the first of all. Jesus replied: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Most people I know take pretty good care of themselves. They provide food, shelter, clothing, other needs and even desires for themselves and those they love. They give to themselves and those they love care and attention, pats on the back, support, prayers and kind words. Can we embrace the idea that Jesus is asking us to do just that for Hillary Clinton supporters who are hurting? Perhaps He isn’t asking us to put a roof over someone’s head, but He is asking us to love them as He would. First, love the Lord your God with all of your heart, then love your neighbors as you love yourself.
It is imperative that we love our neighbors — to practice this selfless love toward our brothers and sisters. It is an outward sign of our love for God. “If any one says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). How do we start to practice this love toward others?
- Pray that God would give you a heart for his children with whom you disagree. It’s easy to love those with whom we have much in common, but much harder to care about people who hold opposing views. Pray that His love for them would envelop your heart.
- Pray for opportunities to show them the love of God. It may be as simple as responding in a Christlike manner to a social media post — whatever that looks like. Let God lead you. It may be seeing someone hurting and offering comforting words. Their fear, anger and pain are real to them, even if we believe it’s unfounded. Our beliefs about their pain is irrelevant. Our job is to show the love of Christ to them — and to a hurting world as a whole.
- Pray for them. Pray that God would speak His truth into their lives (and into ours), that all of us would be receptive to His truth and act on His instructions. Pray that God would heal their hearts, calm their spirits, soothe their souls. If He wills that you are part of that process, be open to His leading and direction.
Remember that, as pastor David Jeremiah said, “Presidents come and go, but our God remains forever and he will be on his throne on November 9 as he was on November 8 and as he will be for all of eternity.” As Christians, this is not our home. We have a higher calling than celebrating a presidential election. Our greatest moment will be when we reach our eternal home and see all of those we ministered to here — those hurting, lost souls who heeded His call and joined the heavenly celebration. Now, won’t that be a party!
Here are some of your hurting brothers and sisters, your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends. As we walk out our faith, let us pray for God’s guidance in ministering to those around us who need Christ’s love, compassion and hope. And may God mightily bless this great nation we call America as we seek to do His will.