day 1017: Affiliations

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Coming out of this political season it seems like the badges of red or blue might be more sticky than in any time in my lifetime.  Even just a week after the election we already have sides being strengthened and drawn and the lunchroom political banter persists.  It wasn't always this way but in this age of the 24-7 news cycle with media outlets targeted specifically to political affiliations and the new personal expression outlets of social media like Facebook and Twitter feeding a return loop, the cycle probably never ends.  We are in a new normal and this era we will be politically charged at all times. What is important is that we don't try and take politics and say that because we know who someone voted for that we think we know who they are. That is reading the book by the cover and we all know enough that that level of superficiality is not only disrespectful, it is also intellectually lazy and thereby dangerous. The messages all around us want us to listen to the soundbites and believe all of what we hear and read.  Beware, because as we know, things are not always as they appear. If we want to affiliate a company or a person then let's do that based on long-term actions and results and be open to others beyond a one dimensional affiliation.

I was recently reminded of a song that we sang in church when I was a child. As I reflected on the words, it made me think that we should all take them to work with us today. The words are based on John 13:35 and both the words and music were written by Peter Scholtes. This is what we must stand up to as our challenge!

"They'll Know We Are Christians by our Love"

We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord,
We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored:

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land:

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride:

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

Reference: John 13:35