Over the past several weeks, I have been painfully reminded that when I do something to make one person or group happy, I inevitably make someone else angry. In 2021, angry looks all kind of ugly. It ranges from nasty social media posts and irate emails to passive aggressive behaviors and public shunning.
Leading is not easy. It is so much easier to safely sit on the sideline and avoid any risk of conflict or discomfort. I think about Christ when I consider (on a regular basis these days) what being comfortable would like and feel like to me. He surely did not choose comfort. Just close your eyes and remember the cost He paid for us. I ponder His reality and I push and go on with whatever path He has set me on for His glory.
We are facing so many things as congregations and communities, that could easily divide us beyond any hope of unity. The noise is deafening everywhere we turn. The voices crying out for justice are competing with the voices of fear. What does justice for THEM mean for ME? Fear can make all of us do things and behave in ways we would not normally think possible. Fear can make us lose sight of US as we got lost in THEM and ME. The voices of equity cry out for understanding that they do not want MORE… they just want the same chance. Fear then takes ahold of many as we wonder if fairness for ALL means someone loses… What if we lose something? What if we gain so much more?
I have noticed in most situations lately; people are doing a LOT of talking and extraordinarily little meaningful listening to each other. We want what we want right? We want people to understand us. The bigger question is do we want to invest the time to understand others? Are we willing to put the work in that will bring the volume down and let Christ enter the discussion?
Talking about painful situations is not easy. During my recent IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory), I found myself telling things to this heart on the other end of my cell phone connection, I have never told ANYONE. A discussion that was scheduled for 20 minutes went on for an hour while we talked AND we listened to each other. We began the discussion and ended it with prayer.
Being a Christian has never been easy if we have been getting it right. Loving everyone is tough when we take the commandment literally. Forgiving others as Christ forgave is nearly impossible at times. Standing up in 2021 for anything means someone will certainly ask you to sit yourself down.
My challenge for each of us, is to let people see Christ in us. Let them see us learning, trying, struggling, failing, trying again…. and loving each other through it all. Let them see us working hard to serve, even when we mess things up. It is then they get to see us model faith and forgiveness. Churches are for imperfect people. That includes ALL of us.
Let them hear us having difficult discussions that will help us all in the Kingdom work ahead. Let me see us cry tears of sorrow, joy, hurt, embarrassment, love, empathy, fear, and most importantly… tears of hope in the love Christ offers.
When you feel that talking is just too hard, spend time listening. Everyone has a story. Everyone has scars. Everyone has a heart worthy of the peace our risen Savior offers. Even if you are not ready to talk about the tough stuff, pray for strength to stand up when Christ calls your heart to do so. Be ready. Ground yourself in His word. Let the quiet whisper of His voice, silence the noise of this world. Then, stand with courage as the world screams at you to sit down. You will not be standing alone.
“Christ gives me the strength to face anything.”
Philippians 4:14 CEV
If you would like to view past editions of A Message from Kim, follow this link: https://sounddistrictnc.org/category/from-district-lay-leader/
If you would like to connect with Kim please do so through her email, k.smith@nccumc.org