Earlier in the week I met with some other pastors from the area to talk about a joint sunrise Easter service.  The host pastor was running late, so the three of us had some extra time to get to know each other (make small talk) before we could get into the building.  Naturally, we all shared the churches that we serve, and when I said that I serve a Lutheran church, the next question was "which Lutheran church?"  It was fun watching their faces as I said "ELCA."  "Oh that Lutheran church," was the response.  (To be fair, I was sizing them up just as much as they were sizing up me.)  We could have easily spent the next month talking about our differences and arguing theology, but where would that have gotten us?  What if we have something in common?

 

Do you have many close relationships with people who aren't like you?  If you believe the news, we are dividing faster by the day, and we are continually using our views as a litmus test for whom we deem worthy of our time.  I am just as guilty of this as the next person, but when you surround yourself with people who are just like you, not only are you creating an echo chamber, it can be an extremely boring place to be and you may be robbing yourself of an opportunity to grow and learn.  

 

Here is a novel concept: ask questions and then listen?  What if we actually sat down and had a conversation with someone who holds beliefs and opinions that are different from ours?  What would that look like?  What if instead of judging someone because they are different from us, we asked them to tell us the story that led them to the point they're at?  Maybe we would begin to see a person sitting across from us instead of an issue.

 

Did Jesus live in an echo chamber?  Did he routinely surround himself with people who were just like him?  (Is that a trick question?)  Where others only saw a sinner, Jesus saw a person.  I am thankful that when Jesus looks at me, he doesn't yell out "SINNER!" but instead sees a child of God.  When you look at others, especially those who differ from you, what do you see?  Do you see the same things Jesus sees?  

 

We have allowed ourselves to be defined by our differences instead of our similarities, and this has led to latent anger, racism, and violence that is being further exploited by the day.  We are pouring gasoline on a fire that is already out of control.  A conversation needs to happen.  Instead of engaging in a yelling contest we need to use our ears, we need to ask questions, and we need to hear each other's stories.  We just may realize that not only do we have something in common, we share the same fears and hopes for the future. We may be closer than we want to admit.  

 

So don't be like the guys on TV.  Don't look for your next yelling contest where the winner is the one who yells louder and longer than the rest.  Ask a question, wait, listen.  What would our world look like if we did more listening than yelling?

 

So, who are you going to listen to today?

See you in church,

 

Chris 

pastorchris@epiphanysuwanee.org

All those participating in the choir for Holy Week, please attend a rehearsal next Wednesday evening at 7!