photo by Karen
Talk about the forgotten step-child. Forbearance gets no hype whatsoever. Nobody talks about it. Love makes the world go round—all we are saying is give peace a chance—we practice random acts of kindness—and most of our scales trumpet the need for self-control. This is what the dictionary says about good ol’ forbearance: good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence; tolerance and restraint in the face of provocation.
It seems forbearance is especially needed in our current political climate. Divisiveness and contempt for opposing opinions are the prevailing forecast. Climate change and immigration and abortion and healthcare can send each of us scooting for our dogmatic corners. It brings to mind an old Phil Ochs lyric: “Soldiers, disillusioned, come home from the war/ Sarcastic students tell them not to fight no more/ So they argue through the night/ Black is black and white is white/ Walk away both knowing they are right.” Not much room for forbearance there.
Politics is particularly factious within the Christian community. The world seems to believe that most of us are Trump supporters. That makes those of us who are not both testy and uncomfortable. Christianity Today, an Evangelical publication, recently came out in support of Trump’s removal from office. Numerous Evangelical leaders immediately repudiated the magazine’s position. The body of Christ is clearly divided.
I am compelled to offer my opinion: Donald Trump is an unfit leader for this country, not because of the Ukraine or Russia or North Korea or the wall or the environment or abortion or healthcare (although I disagree with him on most of those topics)—but because he demonstrates, in his words and his actions, a serious lack of those qualities (listed above) which should be the result of a godly life. His character dismays me. That is my opinion (the operative word is opinion).
Here is my conflict in a nutshell: I have two friends, a couple, who are ardent Trump supporters. But I also know them to be warm, generous, lovingly devoted followers of Jesus. When we talk politics, it goes very much like the Phil Ochs’ lyric above. But that is, and should be, a miniscule part of our relationship. What that part requires from each of us is forbearance.
I loved how Jesus handled it when the Pharisees tried to trap Him with the coin with Caesar’s image. “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” Politics is Caesar’s—we are God’s! There is no division in the body of Christ—there could be in how we look at it. Our work is Kingdom work. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. That is the task of the body of Christ. And I feel certain it has more to do with love and joy and peace…and forbearance than it does with the Ukraine and the wall and climate change.
These are our marching orders: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) While we are at it, let’s cultivate forbearance
Good words, my friend. I think we need an entireevening and a glass of red to explore these thoughts. I’ll text karen to book my visit! Love you both.
Love this. Will definitely share it!