As Far As It Depends On You
As my friend Taylor Nichols would say, "I’m holding space” for you today.
YES, YOU — reader, internet friend, real friend, family member, human being made on purpose for a purpose and DEEPLY LOVED, phenomenal YOU.
However you may feel on the day before the election — happy, sad, angry, frustrated, hopeless, anxious, excited — I see you. I feel some of the same emotions.
I want to encourage Olive Us (sorry I couldn't resist lol), the American people who call this country OUR home, with THIS:
We do not need a policy or specific person in place to bring PEACE, have peace, or sustain it.
I put my trust & hope in the Prince of Peace — that is Jesus. Perhaps you don't believe what I believe, but I am willing to bet that you're with me in desiring peace, unity, harmony, and love to abound in America. Last night, I was reading in Romans and when I got to chapter 12, verse 18, I had to pause and read the verse over and over and over:
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
— Romans 12:18, NIV
After reading this verse several times, what stuck out to me was these 7 words:
As far as it depends on you.
Wait, what?! Depends on me? To do what? What can I do?! There's a pandemic..ugh..wait the election..sigh.. racial injustice..phew..division in the church..AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON ME..WHO AM I?! If it's possible? Sometimes it doesn't seem possible..I mean 2020 is CRAZY.
AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE.
Friends...we can walk in peace and it not be contingent on if our preferred candidate gets elected tomorrow. We can be disturbed, pissed off, angry, sad — and the decision of tomorrow can still not rob us of our joy or affect the way we treat one another. This is possible, but not in our own strength.
What does living at peace look like?
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
— Colossians 3:12, NIV
You and I won't be perfect. We will fall short…mess up…but we can "PUT ON" compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and peace every.single day. No matter what else 2020 throws at us, even when we don't get our way, we can live at peace. Our peace may “seem” firm on occasion with him/her/or Article 52b (making this up folks, no clue if this policy exists lol) in place, but it’s all faulty and will not bring you, me, or this country peace. Not sustainable peace anyway.
Yes there are BETTER people to lead and BETTER policies to put in place (PLEASE research & VOTE) But..
As far as it depends on you...
BRING PEACE to your:
Families
Friendships
Community groups
Schools
Jobs
Neighborhood
Grocery store
Gas station
Coffee shop
City
State
Nation
There is so much POWER in your presence, the choices that you make, and how you treat others. It’s time we realize that each of us have a significant impact on the people, places, communities, and circles we’ve been placed in. I'm talking to the parent who stays at home with their children folding clothes, preparing food, and paying bills. I’m also talking to the CEO of a major corporation who is presenting in board rooms, creating proposals and policies. I'm talking to YOU...I'm talking to ME...I'm talking to All.Of.US.
There is a broad range of influence that each of us have.
That influence can be used for:
Good or evil.
Peace or unrest.
Love or hate.
Unity or discord.
As far as it depends on YOU...
Will you be a peacemaker?
What action steps will you take in the next week to promote peace?
Leaders that lead well matter. All of us are leaders so we must do our part. Train our children, seek justice, be kind, respect each other’s free will to make our own choices, acknowledge your privilege and use it to uplift ALL people, and exercise our right to vote as part of the American democracy.
It doesn’t stop there! Care for the widow, support teachers, walk with the single parent, hire someone that is not like you, donate goods, food, and services to meet basic needs, mourn with those who mourn, extend an apology and mean it, forgive, care for yourself so you can care for others, listen, listen, listen. See a mental health therapist. Realize that centering self means excluding others.
As far as it depends on YOU....
Choose, Walk, and Lead with Peace & Love.
As far as it depends on YOU...
Take care of your mind, body, and spirit.
As far as it depends on YOU...
Realize how vital your role is in our country.
And no matter what happens tomorrow......You, me, we can be Peace Makers and Peace Keepers.
I leave you with the message version of Romans 12:18:
“ Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.””
HE will surely do HIS part. HE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.
Let's do our part to not only bring PEACE to our country, but also take better care of OUR people.