About a week ago I ran into a man while doing grocery shopping who I have known for decades. He was a successful business owner who was able to retire early and spend more time with family and friends. In our conversation, I began to realize that this good, faithful man was a bit more politically conservative than I am; he, and anyone who knows me knows where I am on things. It didn’t matter – our mutual respect gave us room to get along and understand one another. We said our goodbyes and went on with our tasks. A few minutes later he came back my way because he had forgotten something, and he said, “You know Steve, things can be difficult, but when I look around at all we have, I always remember just how amazing this country is.” I agreed – this is an amazing country.
This past Sunday I sang, as a benediction, Kenny Chesney’s song “Get Along,” This is a fun, funny, and deeply meaningful song about life that invites us to live and let live. The central line for me is, “always give love the upper hand”; no matter how we live or what we believe, as long as our decisions are made with love, we can get along. Love overwhelms and overcomes our differences; love makes us turn away from our lesser angels and towards what is good for everyone, not just us. In my life, the times I can’t get along are when I see people using their power and privilege to hurt people they disagree with. We are at our best when we respect people; we are at our worst when we don’t.
While the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, made this idea famous, it was actually first coined by Marco Antonio de Dominis (d. 1624). He wrote, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.” This is the theology that was foundational to my religious upbringing, and it permeates my soul today. It doesn’t matter how someone dresses or where they worship or how many tattoos and piercings they have; if they are doing good and not hurting anyone, let them be. Focus on the common good. If we are spending our time nitpicking and trying to control others, we will find it difficult to love them. You want to get along? Mind yer business. Take the log out of your own eye. Love and respect others. That’s what adults do.
Prayer – Holy God, give us the courage to stand up and with those who are being hurt by self-righteousness, and the wisdom to leave people alone when they aren’t. Teach us to get along and live in love. Amen.
Today’s art is from Mawaheb, a Dubai-based, non-profit art studio for people of determination 18 years and above.