Tearing Down Fences & Building Bridges...
These things I remember, as I pour out my soul… Psalm 42:4a (RSV)
Are you a Baptist? United Methodist? Presbyterian? Episcopalian? An Adventist? Or maybe a Non-denominational Christian? Or maybe not a Christian at all. Are you Republican or Democrat? Liberal or Conservative? Pro this or pro that? Do you believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus or maybe even Peter Pan? All of these beliefs and thoughts make us who we are. The problem with all this diversity is that we can start to build fences and not celebrate our differences. God made us all unique and special, but do we really celebrate that as well as we could?
I have been a pastor for over twenty years. During this time I have served a diversity of congregations. Each time I meet a congregation they want to know where I stand on many issues. How do you serve communion? In the pews or do you have people come forward? Do you read your sermon or are you able to use an outline and be comfortable? These questions lead up to what they really want to know…Are you Pro- Choice or Pro-life? Where do you stand on same sex marriage? All of these issues are very important, but why do we start by trying to pigeon hole people in the first few moments of a relationship?
As I begin my college career I was uncertain of how my roommate and I would get along. I was older, and as we shared our lives over the phone he seemed a bit strange. At first we had our apprehensions, but with time we became very good friends. This story reminds me of what my roommate once said, “Aren’t first impressions strange?” First impressions can either make or break a relationship. You can decide in just a few short moments if there is any value in a relationship. I know it was a forced situation, but I wonder what would have happened if it were not forced? How many people have I discarded because of a first impressions?
I have learned as I have gotten a little older and a little wiser that things are not easily put into nice neat packages. There are so many blessings I have lost because of preconceived notions and attitudes. I am guessing that my life could have been much richer if I would have been open to more ideas and beliefs in my past. I think of the many things I could have learned and the friendships that I missed. I hope as I look to the future that I will find new ways of seeing other people’s points of view. Furthermore, by opening myself up to new experiences I will be able to become a more complete person and establish deeper and better relationships. The bottom line is that I will be able truly get to know someone in a way that will offer them both respect and dignity.
Are you a Baptist? United Methodist? Presbyterian? Episcopalian? An Adventist? Or maybe a Non-denominational Christian? Or maybe not a Christian at all. Are you Republican or Democrat? Liberal or Conservative? Pro this or pro that? Do you believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus or maybe even Peter Pan? All of these beliefs and thoughts make us who we are. The problem with all this diversity is that we can start to build fences and not celebrate our differences. God made us all unique and special, but do we really celebrate that as well as we could?
I have been a pastor for over twenty years. During this time I have served a diversity of congregations. Each time I meet a congregation they want to know where I stand on many issues. How do you serve communion? In the pews or do you have people come forward? Do you read your sermon or are you able to use an outline and be comfortable? These questions lead up to what they really want to know…Are you Pro- Choice or Pro-life? Where do you stand on same sex marriage? All of these issues are very important, but why do we start by trying to pigeon hole people in the first few moments of a relationship?
As I begin my college career I was uncertain of how my roommate and I would get along. I was older, and as we shared our lives over the phone he seemed a bit strange. At first we had our apprehensions, but with time we became very good friends. This story reminds me of what my roommate once said, “Aren’t first impressions strange?” First impressions can either make or break a relationship. You can decide in just a few short moments if there is any value in a relationship. I know it was a forced situation, but I wonder what would have happened if it were not forced? How many people have I discarded because of a first impressions?
I have learned as I have gotten a little older and a little wiser that things are not easily put into nice neat packages. There are so many blessings I have lost because of preconceived notions and attitudes. I am guessing that my life could have been much richer if I would have been open to more ideas and beliefs in my past. I think of the many things I could have learned and the friendships that I missed. I hope as I look to the future that I will find new ways of seeing other people’s points of view. Furthermore, by opening myself up to new experiences I will be able to become a more complete person and establish deeper and better relationships. The bottom line is that I will be able truly get to know someone in a way that will offer them both respect and dignity.
Aww...you're growing up!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you write. I will enjoy reading your blog.
Good job!
The Math Goddess