I stand with City Harvest Church and her members and leaders.
I do this because, them and me, we are family.
I stand with them because that’s what families do. We are on “the same side” even if we are in some ways very different in practices or beliefs. But which family is not like that? Being family doesn’t mean we are all the same! What is important is that our differences do not overshadow a deeper bond that binds us. In fact, people who easily cut ties over differences often show a lack of depth in relationship, character and often also maturity.
No. Standing with them means I want them to know they are not alone. When they hurt, I hurt too. When unkind words are spoken about them, I am not rejoicing. I also do not retaliate against the mean. That is not the Christian way. Instead, I speak about them with kindness and hope.
When people rise up to condemn and ridicule them, I will not put distance between me and them because that is not what family does. Is there a chance that people think of me as they do of them? Sure. But family is worth the price, and worth the risk. I would rather appear the fool by being with them, than prove myself the fool by standing apart.
Standing with them also means I think that the world needs less people who feed their own significance and egos by trampling on the weaknesses of others. Sure. I get it. You are superior. But the world is a better place when we show compassion, not only to those who are obviously weak, but especially so to those who need to pretend they are strong. Only the egoistic are offended by the ego in others. In squashing the weak to show strength, we inadvertently feed the monster that we so despise.
Ultimately, I suspect I feel a need to write this because I am not sure about myself. I am sure that at my worst, I am not better than them at their best. Therefore, I do not dare speak with haughty or strong words that could suggest I know more than I do, or that I think I am in fact better in any way. Somehow, seeing the lives of others dragged through the mud should provide a cautionary tale for us (if we are humble and wise) that it could happen to anyone, and that if it indeed happened to me, I would love to have some family to go through it with.
If I ever get tempted to mock another, I want to be quick to remember that God already forgave someone worse. And calls that person to be more like God, to act with love at great cost to God. And pay the price for the world to be better, one humble, kind and wise act at a time.
Wrongs need to be acknowledged, justice needs to run its course. The law is to be respected, procedures need to be followed and cases argued and deliberated. Justice is important, but so is grace, repentance and redemption. But through it all, I am hoping the Family will grow stronger together, as crises often give us the opportunity to.
Please share if you resonate, or drop a message if you disagree.
I am open to listen and learn, and facilitate conversations.