I won’t convince you of anything. Social media, a big word meaning writing to friends and strangers, is said to only re-enforce preconceived notions. So in order to communicate without polarizing I might follow the cocktail party line and not talk about politics or religion. This being a faith based blog maybe I can get a pass on religion. as for politics, I was going to write about my knee, but thanks to Colin Kaepernick, even knees are political.
I hurt mine being stupid. That’s the way it is usually done. This was me trying to move in an uncertain way without limbering up. I missed work, jeopardized some important engagements, made extra work for family and colleagues, and hobbled in pain for a few days. The prayer team at my church responded instantly to my duress; rest,anti-inflammatory supplements, and a borrowed knee brace got me back on my feet in less than a week.
I gained perspective and appreciation for cartilage and community. Support systems; as Paul states in Romans 12:4-5 “For as we are many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” are appreciated in crisis and taken for granted in day to day operations. Which one of us has ever studied a chart of the inner workings of our knees before getting into, or out of a car?
The inner workings of our communities also responds to bruising with a painful swelling leading to immobility and hypersensitivity to pressure and stress. Paul may have prophesied the 2016 political climate inAmerica, or the world for that matter, when he continued to exhort us in Romans to, “Let love be without hypocracy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor give preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, and given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist bring judgement on themselves. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise for the same.”
Having been raised in the school of Alfred E Neuman all I can say to that is, “Who me?”
What say you? How do you vote on what’s the matter with us, because it is us, and not them, that we’re to address, as family.
Great post!