Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
Scanning the horizon of current events, I can’t help but think that we are better than this. We are better than the circus that is being portrayed in the media and played out in Washington DC. We are better than the nightly vitriol of talking heads who invade our living rooms with a virus of fear and hate. We are better than the lawless behavior that has taken root in our cities. We are better than the mudslinging, half-true posts on Facebook and the uncivil responses that are thoughtlessly returned. We are better than this; we were not raised this way. This is not the country we were raised in, and it is high time to take it back.
Scanning the horizon of our Whidbey Island home, I am encouraged that small-town America is behaving better than the big city media and our self-absorbed politicians. For the most part, people are wearing masks, donating to Good Cheer, being courteous in public, taking care of locked-down neighbors, and in general just trying to survive the pandemic craziness of 2020. Oh, we have our moments when fear, anxiety, or frustration bubbles up and comes out sideways on to some innocent bystander. We have our moments when we send emails or make a regrettable post on Facebook. We are human and humans make mistakes. Humans need forgiveness and consequently, we need to forgive each other.
I am growing weary of the negativity that seeks to tear us apart. I believe that we are better than this! Maybe the key word here is “WE.” The word “we” describes us as we are or should be, namely that “we” are not alone or broken up into competing groups: “We” are in this together. Our success or failure depends on the health, productivity, cooperation, and thoughtfulness of our neighbors. We depend on each other to observe the rules of the road, to keep on our side of the center line, to obey the laws of the land, to work together for the common good. “We” are in this together and “we” are called to be better, more civil and respectful than those who are leading us.
We are better than this. I want each of us to consider our roles in the healthy functioning of our community. Can we rise above the fray? Can we tolerate other opinions? Can we remember how we were raised by our parents? Can we follow Jesus and the 10 Commandments even in a time of unrest, uncertainty, and high anxiety?
I am going to say YES! I believe in you. I believe that we can model a more civil way of living and loving. I believe that: “We are better than this.”
“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Colossians 3:12
One day closer!
Pastor Jim
