Be kind. I think most would agree those are two very simple and important words, and that others should live by them. We hear those words a lot, but what do they really mean? Do they mean for us to be kind only when we are in a good mood, and getting along with all of our family and friends, and that everybody is agreeing with our view of the world? I don’t think so. I think they mean for us to be kind in spite of all of that.
As we continue through this election season, the world could not be more divisive. I have read posts from so many that are bashing each other, or other viewpoints, with the most absolute certainty that they are right and that nobody else can be. I am not going to write a blog post about the left or the right, as those that have strong opinions on either side will likely continue to regardless of my blog post or anybody else’s, but just want to reflect on what we can do to keep an open mind and see other people’s viewpoints, or at a minimum, respect their freedom to think differently. I know many smart, caring, and ethical people that are either extremely conservative or extremely liberal, and love them both the same.
The negativity and judgement we are seeing today is not productive, and those of us that label ourselves as Christians should be representing the opposite of that. We are supposed to be loving our neighbors which includes loving those that believe differently than you. And, our “neighbors” are not just those next door; they are everybody we have any connection with. I personally don’t believe you need to have conservative viewpoints to be a Christian, or that being a Christian means that you have conservative viewpoints. I believe with everything in me is that we were all are meant to rely on God, and allow him to direct our life and help us with our struggles. I don’t think this was ever meant to be connected to politics, and that many never come to make what is the most important decision of their life, because they interpret that is has to go hand in hand. Jesus loves them either way.
There are considerations on both sides that demonstrate love and concern for fellow humans, and many from both parties believe they are doing the best to show people love and do the “right thing”- they just interpret it in different ways. I think we can all agree that our president and those in office should be good humans that genuinely care about other humans (all of them - those in and out of our country, and all colors, shapes, and sizes) and be somebody that we would want our kids to look up to. We have to vote for what we think is right. We have that privilege and it is our duty to do so.
As I post this blog on the Pain with Purpose page, I do wonder what purpose could come from the controversy and negativity we are seeing day to day. I honestly don’t know, and may not ever know, but as I reflect on my favorite bible verse, Proverbs 3:5, I believe that some good will come out of it at some point, and at a minimum we can learn from it.
Be kind, go out and love your neighbor, and vote for whoever you think will love theirs the best!
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