Last night at Bible Study, a person expressed his deep sadness and concern over the state of the USA. He was devastated about the giant chasm which separates many family and friends. He desperately wanted unity, love, and compassion. The man's pleas profoundly struck me. During the session, I prayed with deep conviction that healing for our land would soon come.
Today, I wandered onto Facebook. I usually do not look at it much except to check my messages. However, I looked to see if a woman responded to a comment I had made on her post.
To my surprise, the woman did not respond, but someone else did. The responder told me I was wrong...
To understand the situation more, here is a brief synopsis of the original post. A woman had received unsolicited advice from a family member and wanted to know what to do. I responded she should thank the family member, look up the information to see if there was anything which could be useful, and then report back to the family (again thanking the family member for taking the time to offer her kindness (i.e., unsolicited medical advice)).
The person who responded to my comment went on a rant that disabled people should not have to validate able-bodied people...
I want to stop right there. Right there. THIS IS THE PROBLEM IN THE USA!!!! People are tossing each other into groups. It is the "them" versus "us" mentality. We do not know anything about the family member other than the family member offered unsolicited advice, but now, the narrative has turned from one of love and compassion to one of war and division. Suddenly, we are not to love anyone unless they are exactly like us. We are not to be kind to each unless they think and act like we do.
My blood boils thinking that this mentality not only pervades the mind of the person responding to my comment, but it was the general mood for all the comments. Every person stated the poster should not have to take the unsolicited advice. The woman should reject it (and in essence, the woman should reject her family member).
The world has flipped upside down. I truly believe we should love everyone ESPECIALLY if they are different from us. It is easy to love your best friend who likes the same things you do, but can you love the grumpy old man down the street, who curses at you every time you pass his house?
We are called to be a light unto the nations. Right now, all nations (including the USA) are struggling. Take time this week to reach out to someone you do not know or do not like very much. Extend love and compassion. Smile and say "Hello" to a stranger at the store. A simple smile, a friendly greeting can really change someone's day...and if you change someone's day, you have, in a small way, changed the world. You have helped heal the hurt of this very broken world.
And if you ever receive unsolicited advice, please thank the person. You do not have to be grateful for the advice, but please be grateful for the person's kindness. The person wants you to get better and may believe their tip or insight will help you become your best self. Should you be angry someone wants you to become your best self? I think the answer is clear: ABSOLUTELY NOT! We should rejoice and praise God that we have received this unexpected gift of love and compassion.
Together we can heal the hurt, sadness, and depression which permeates through the world--small actions and words of thanks can do much to build a bridge across this very divided world.
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
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