This should be the church today, right? When we are torn apart, we are separated in person, but not in heart, because our hearts stay with one another and we are endeavoring eagerly to see one another again face to face. This is the way I hope our congregations care for one another -- that we find our joy in one another.
It's interesting to watch the world these days. Politically, the US is having a hard time working together. I've gone from wondering if the center can hold to wondering if there even is a center left any more. The two sides seem to care little for one another, each having done plenty to antagonize the other. The church used to be a place where you built relationships with people who thought differently than you, but I don't know if that's still true.
I keep hoping that the 21st century American church can get back to what Paul is talking about -- that we love one another with such love that we endeavor the more eagerly to see the people in our community -- those that don't think like us, that don't look like us, just as eagerly as we seek those who do. When Christ pursued us, we were enemies of God, and Christ came to us and loved us with a great love, a selfless love, and redeemed us despite the gulf that separated us. If Christ can do that for the church, can the church stand in the gap today and love the world, bridging the divide and endeavoring to see one another face to face, to be separated in person but not in heart?
It's my hope that we can all find a home in the church, surrounded by people who love us with such love, regardless of political persuasion, for we have so much in common.
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