We’ve Lost It!
We have absolutely lost it.
Not just the ability to hold civil discourse, but something even deeper – a baseline respect for our fellow humans (neighbors, friends, and sojourners on this earth).
It’s gone.
The ire simmering just below society’s surface is ready to pounce on anyone with a differing perspective, and today’s culture is loving it.
Plenty of people talk about the problem, using it to justify their own irritation and fury. But if we truly hated this dynamic, we would do something about it.
Leaders, that “something” starts with us.
In your corner of the world you carry perspective, influence, self-control, and awareness that others around you may lack. Let’s leverage those strengths to elevate the societal conversation – restoring respect, compassion, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and more.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
- Galatians 5:22 – 26
I love what my good friend Jason Roton is launching this fall in rural Metamora: “Hops and Hope”.
He, too, has witnessed the decline in respectful dialogue and is doing something about it. I can’t wait to see how this experiment in love for others turns out, and it will be an honor to be a part of it.
In his own words:
“This initiative is for anyone committed to engaging constructively with people who may see the world differently, and who want to tackle important topics, ranging from politics and faith to parenting, culture, and relationships. At the heart of our gatherings is a commitment to truly listening and learning from one another.”
Thank you, Jason, for tackling such an important project.
Leaders, we can do better. We need to do better. Let’s do better:
Model the fruit of the Spirit in every conversation you host or join.
Create safe spaces (like Jason’s initiative) where people with differing views can talk and listen.
Challenge your team to practice one tangible act of grace this week - online or in person.
Together we can shift the tone of our culture from hostility to hope.
Blessings to you, my friends!
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This Week’s Resource Recommendation(s):
"Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better"
- Brant Hansen
From Amazon: It turns out giving up your "right" to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things you can do. It's a radical, provocative idea: We're not entitled to get offended or stay angry. The idea of our own "righteous anger" is a myth. It is the number one problem in our societies today and, as Dallas Willard says, Christians have not been taught out of it. But what if Christians were the most unoffendable people on the planet?
In Unoffendable you will find concrete, practical ways to live life with less stress, including:
Adjusting your expectations to fit human nature
Replacing perpetual anger with refreshing humility and gratitude
Embracing forgiveness and beginning to love others in unexpected ways
Newly revised with two brand-new chapters on forgiveness and what Hansen has learned since writing his original book, this updated edition of the bestselling book is a must-read for every Christian. With short chapters, this book is easy to slip into a daily routine or commute to spend time deepening in God’s Word. In a humorous and conversational style, Unoffendable seeks to lift religious burdens from our backs and allow us to experience the joy of gratitude, perhaps for the first time, every single day of our lives – flourishing the way God intended.
"The Bait of Satan, 20th Anniversary Edition: Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense"
- John Bevere
From Amazon: Are you compelled to tell your side of the story?
Do you fight thoughts of suspicion or distrust?
Are you constantly rehearsing past hurts?
Have you lost hope because of what someone did to you?
The Bait of Satan exposes one of the most deceptive snares Satan uses to get believers out of the will of God – offense. This trap restrains countless Christians, severs relationships, and widens the gulfs between us. Jesus said, "It is impossible that no offenses should come” (Luke 17:1). Although you will encounter offense, you can choose how you will react.
In this new twentieth anniversary edition, John Bevere shows you how to identify the traps ahead of you and escape the victim mentality. With declaration-style prayers and testimonials from people whose lives have been changed by his message, this book will inspire you to stay free from offense and its destructive power.
Don’t let anyone affect your relationship with God!
MMS 25-31
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