“2020 has been a rough year for all of us.” I’m sure you have run across many blogs, captions and messages that start with that statement. We all have had similar and different experiences managing a pandemic that has shifted our everyday norm and...temperatures. Shout out to global warming :/
No but honestly, have you noticed how cold it has been this year?
“Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12 NKJV)
Well, can you feel the coldness? I know I could. I remember when the video of George Floyd was trending on the Internet. I knew it was something that some of us needed to see but as for me, nah. I couldn’t bring myself to watch it and I still haven’t to this day. I didn’t need to see the video to cry over a man I have never met. He was a father, a friend, a brother and a son. It doesn’t take much to feel the brunt of his untimely and gruesome death.
Immediately after, people began taking the streets. There were protests, riots, letters, emails and phone calls, a millions petitions to sign. I remember a conversation I had with a friend about protesters. She felt that protesters were “stupid” and their actions were meaningless. On the other hand I felt that it was just an expression of their pain. Maybe nothing was to come of it but it was nice to see people united for a cause. As we continued in our conversation where we stood on opposite ends. I realized that this is what is causing our world to fall a part. It is our need for everyone to agree with us and if they don’t their thoughts, actions and beliefs are “stupid”. I began to ask myself some tough questions
What would it take for you to make sure your love does not “grow cold” in a world of lawlessness and division?
How about not contributing to that lawlessness and division? Just because I did not agree with my friend, I questioned our friendship and all of my friendships. Is it possible for me to have meaningful relationships with people I do not always or sometimes never agree with? YES it is! And this is how you do it…
Master the art of “shutting up”!
Listen, shutting up is truly an art. Why do we argue and why are we such a divided country, culture, people, family etc.? It is because we care more about being right than we do about hearing people out. Our desire to be right has overshadowed our sense of empathy.
That moment, with one of my best friends, highlighted a part of me that I had to face. I believe that if we master the art of “shutting up” and hearing people’s heart and perspective it will make room for a more unified society.
Here’s the thing, we have all grown up in different families, under different rules and beliefs. Then our experiences inform the people we are and will become. BECOME, meaning there is always room for growth. So why would I allow someone else’s beliefs threaten my own.
I mean, that is what we are really talking about here. If someone does not agree with me, why am I so adamant about bringing this person to my side of understanding? Is it because I feel like them disagreeing with me in someway discredits the person that I am?
Now, I believe some people can benefit more from others by shutting up. Like racists, and white supremacist. And there are some things that are blatantly wrong but then I think, only fools argue with fools.
SO my challenge to you (and me) is to engage in conversations with people who look, believe and see differently and don’t be afraid to say, “I think differently but I see where you are coming from”. And when that thing that is on the inside of all of us (aka pride) wants to take control, remember you have mastered the art of “shutting up”.
Love,
V
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