Before I get too far into this post, let me take a moment and give God a shout of praise! As some of you may recall, I have spent the last 18+ months working on my graduate degree in Managerial Science. Last week my final assignment for the semester came due and I fretted over my grade. Going into the last bend, I had a perfect grade and the reality was that my final paper could only hurt my grade. I am happy to report that I earned a perfect A+ 100! on my paper summarizing the history of operations management and examining current trends and issues facing modern management professionals. I am thankful for the strength and ability God gave me and the support my beloved Sweet T provided through the last couple of weeks. One more semester to go! Woohoo!!!
As you might gather, I am a passionate lifelong learner. I like doing new things. New, unique adventures along this journey of “my life” are something I genuinely look forward too. Keeping my mind engaged is something I’ve learned is key to my physical and spiritual health, as well as my mental wellness. That’s why I enjoy solving puzzles and trying to figure out mysteries or studying history. Recognizing where you’ve been is an important part of knowing where you’re going. We cannot undo the past, but we can certainly learn from it.
Turmoil is nothing new. We live in turbulent times, filled with discouraging divides, and featuring polarizing perspectives. Everyone has support of their own herd’s echo chamber. We claim victory when the people forming our tribe agree with our POV. We hear, but we do not listen.
Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Listening appears to be a lost art. It is difficult to do when you’re always talking or busy thinking about your response rather than seeking to understand, before being understood. This is true in our individual one-on-one relationships and in our broader community relations. We have our personal circle of loved ones made up of family and friends. We are also neighbors, residents, and citizens of the places we call home. None of us live in a vacuum. Each of us must strive to stay connected despite our differences.
When I check social media, I find a lot of venomous rage and shade thrown towards those of opposing views. It’s always been easier to chew someone out over the phone than face-to-face. Sure, it takes courage to speak truth in kindness to another person when we disagree with them. Of course, just because we have an opinion, doesn’t mean someone else wants to hear it. That’s a hard pill for us to swallow.
We don’t all agree. That does not mean we cannot have civil discourse about tough issues that challenge how we live. On the contrary, I believe it makes having a genuine conversation—one that involves twice as much listening as it does speaking—about hard realities imperative. I think if we can get beyond all the hubris and ballyhoo, we might find that we are not as far apart as we’re led to believe.
We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. Love God with your everythingness and love others, including those you disagree with, with the same passion you love yourself. Be the salt and the light amid an ever-increasing darkness.
Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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The Devotional Guy™ 
Really good word, Thanks!
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Blessings.
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