93. Power With

 Galatians 5:14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

It has been a bit of a struggle to write this blog entry.  To me, it just seems so obvious, that words are difficult to find.  So, after much stalling, and procrastinating – don’t ask me was a professional crastinator does – here goes.

When I read scripture, I read much differently than what others seem to read.  I know I read scripture much differently than I used to read it.  Even the Old Testament, where others report that God is cranky, in need of anger management lessons, and is just generally a vengeful ass, I see God as a compassionate, forgiving and loving.  Maybe I have ingested too many antidepressants.

         

I believe God calls us, and always has called us, to love our neighbours.  That we are called, drawn, compelled to experience power with other people; both in the giving and the receiving of that power.  It is hard to separate the concepts of power with, and power within.  For as I join with you whether it be in struggle, or in celebration, we are both empowered by that act.

But power with seems to be immeasurably superior.  Consider, Dan T. Cathy, the Chairman, President and CEO of fast-food chain Chick-fil-A. When criticized for his stance on same-sex marriages, he reached out to those who were most vocal.  The result was a friendship with one of the activists that spoke out against him.  (Yes, I have written about this before.)

          Was this a simple corporate strategy to stave off criticism?  I think not.  I think Dan a devout Christian had one of those moments when he loved his neighbour as himself.  Actually, he had one of those moments when he loved his enemy. 

          As a result, both Dan and Shane Windmeyer (the activist) developed a friendship. They still disagree on the morality of homosexuality and the ethics of same gendered marriages.  But there is respect for each other and not begrudgingly.  But Dan and his company Chik-Fil-A has changed considerably regarding the treatment of LGBTQ people.

          In this story, which honestly charms me, I see the shadows of the story of the Good Samaritan.  We are all familiar, or most of us, with that story.  That those who were supposedly closer to God would have nothing to do with the man who had been robbed and left for dead.  We all cast ourselves in the role of the Samaritan.  But we don’t consider is that animosity between the Jew and the Samaritan.  In all honesty the Samaritan could not be blamed if he walked over looked at the man in ditch, spat on him and said, “Serves you right.”

Power with, which I believe is the God within us, calls us to compassion.  It is offering hope instead of condemnation.  It is offering reconciliation instead of estrangement.  It is recognizing that we are all the same.  Repeatedly, we are called in scripture to join with others.

Friends of mine, and I join with them, try to live by the adage “To heal one is to heal all.”