What does the presidential inauguration have to do with opening our hearts? Is your heart writhing in fear over the new president or do you have a sense of peace?
A little over a week ago our country welcomed a new president. Many watched the inauguration cheering from their couches or jeering the demise of our country. I did neither. I am not political in the sense that I will share my views on this page or throughout social media. However, I want to spend time today digging into our hearts and the longing for more as we look to the future.
There is a quote floating around from the inaugural speech. It says, “when you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.” It is this quote that has left me wondering about the heart matters that we face as we move forward as a country.
If I am honest, I am a middle of the road girl. I try not to veer too far in either direction because in my mind that leaves me open for confrontation. Harsh words and saying whatever is on our mind with no regard for anyone else does not fly with me. It is this truth about me that makes me hesitant to open my heart. The thought of you misunderstanding or misconstruing my words makes me shudder. When you open your heart to receiving words and actions that fill the crevices, your defenses either rise or crumble.
[Tweet “When you open your heart’s crevices to everyone’s words, your defenses either rise or crumble. “]
My heart hurts and desperation for peace among all parties is my greatest wish. Social media provides an avenue for speaking out, but is a hotbed of hurtful words. This causes me to scratch my head in unbelief. My theme this week is working on our hearts and changing our unbelief by seeking God’s truth, not the world’s. Sounds easy doesn’t it? I know it’s not.
When I first read the quote “when you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice”, I didn’t believe it. Maybe our view of patriotism is skewed or we don’t believe we are prejudiced, but both exist in some form. Getting to the root of heart matters will take more than one blog post. I am not debating this but want to understand why we immediately rally around one side or another. Is one right and the other wrong? My heart carries the hurts of many with the hopes I can fix it. I know I can’t. But there is One who left us with gifts of love and grace. As Beth Moore says, “If an indivisible Savior on an indestructible cross is the beauty in the ugliness of division, this is surely redemption: what flesh had divided, the Spirit multiplied.”
You might say I live in a fantasy world, but God proves over and over that truth is not in the sharing of hateful words but is speaking in love. Paul describes this love in 1 Corinthians 13. Without this love we are not fully known. Christ desires for us to be known in and through Him. My son, Daniel articulates it like this:
When you open your heart, the door swings wide for everything to walk through. The good, bad and the ugly doesn’t discriminate. Instead we need to seek the filter to view it all through. May you look today at ugliness as scars that God can heal, hate as an emotion that God redeems and anger that diffuses when surrounded by love.
I will be praying these words for all of you this week:
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:4-6
May God’s blessings fill your week!
Linking today with:
and Dawn for Grace Moments
Hi Mary! Remembering that God unifies us all, if we allow him to do that, is a very comforting thought. I don’t think you are being unreasonable at all.
I do think it’s fine to have opinions, and we all should be allowed to have them, and express them. But always in love, always in respect. I think that’s what’s lacking these days.
Thank you for this peaceful post,
Ceil
You always bless me with your calm, wise words. Thank you for sharing and pointing us back to God who is the Great Unifier. Blessings and hugs!
Mary, what a powerful post. I’m a peace-lovin’ girl too. I’d much rather strive for peace than have to face confrontation. However, that’s not how everyone is wired, and it’s not always best.
I love your thoughts about having a heart that is open with the filter that will help us view everything accurately.
I’m looking forward to reading more of your thoughts on this!
It sounds easy doesn’t it? I wish I could make it all better. I am a fixer by nature and would love nothing more than for everyone to just get along. I pray that we at least stop and think before we speak and choose the filter of love when we do.
Well said, Mary. I’m right there with you, wishing that people would let love speak rather than some political position. The frenzy that’s occurring in our nation scares me, but I’m trying to lower my anxieties by praying more and more for our nation and its leaders. Thanks for your bravery to share this today, my friend!
Joining you in prayer for our nation and leaders! I’m not sure that this post was brave but it has been weighing on my heart that I needed to share. Thank you for joining in the conversation dear friend!
Mary, this post was so thoughtful. My heart is grieved at our world right now. But your post reminds me of what is truly important. I’ll be chewing on this post for awhile. I desire peace too!
Thank you Tara! My heart is grieved too. Let’s pray for peace together!
Great insights, Mary. I share your desire for peace. I love this: “truth is not in the sharing of hateful words but is speaking in love.” It’s so important, whether we agree or disagree with someone, to remember love, to remember that everyone is loved by God and to view things through the filter of his truth.
Mary,
Your post talks about and reminds us of the great Truth found in scripture. I do wonder, at times, if the people sitting behind their computer screens spewing venom or those marching and protesting on both sides of the coin have read any scripture lately? As a Nation, I think we’ve lost our compass. Each side is pointing that this is the way to go, but no one is looking at the compass…the Truth. Now, more than ever, we need to be in the Word so that we can assess rightly how we are to proceed. You’ve got me thinking…
Blessings,
Bev xx
Oh, I really feel this burden, too, Mary. And this – “Harsh words and saying whatever is on our mind with no regard for anyone else does not fly with me.” Thank you for speaking the truth with love. I just read 1 Corinthians 13 this morning. Oh, how we need love more than anything else. Our son was just telling us on Sunday how their pastor got all choked up as he said he felt so burdened on his heart to talk with them. He held up the Bible and said something like – “This is the truth we need to follow. And what this tells us is to love.” He said more, but this is what sticks with me. Yes, there is such hope in the truth that God can heal and redeem. Thank you for reminding us all to have the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ had! Love and hugs!
I love this post. “Harsh words and saying whatever is on our mind with no regard for anyone else does not fly with me.” I totally feel you on this. I have steered clear of writing because of just this….those harsh words can be quite crippling. Like you…I keep my political opinions to myself…I’m from a generation that viewed those things as Private. I didn’t share Political posts on Social Media…I didn’t write about them on my blog…Now, with the public Social Media reactions being shared across the globe…I have a new found understanding of why certain matters should remain private.
God’s truth, not the world’s. Amen! His word is the filter we need in every situation, political or not. Great post, Mary!
Thank you June! May we turn to God’s word first for truth in every situation. I always love your perspective.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us! I’m also grieved by harsh words flying on social media and the division it’s causing. May God help us!
This post. Ah, love. This is where I am at too. I was feeling guilty, almost confused for a while due to my own inner flip flopping. Finally realized it’s just that I love everyone and though I don’t want to die for my faith or see bad things happen, if I live dwelling on worst-case scenarios, I can not live how God is calling me to which is brave and beautifully for Him. Thanks so much for sharing this. I shared it today everywhere.
Mary, this is a great post. My heart is grieved over the state of our country, all of the bashing going around social media, the news, etc. I love that quote, and it’s so true. May my words always reflect Christ and His love for others.
Mary, thank you for these peaceful words. There is so much information to absorb in order for me to have a coherent understanding of issues and to form balanced opinions, but, by grace, may we season all the we say (and think) with love.
Blessings to you!