“The problems in our society will not be corrected by taking sides. They will be fixed by standing at the lines of division and extending hands to both friend and enemy. Therein is ‘revolution’.”
I shared the above recently with friends. I am not one to take sides on the many polarizing issues that are dividing us. I have strong opinions, as those who know me best (or perhaps those who think they know me) will attest, and sometimes I can come off as rigid and, possibly, divisive. So, when I might appear silent on a matter, I sometimes worry that I might appear apathetic or worse, cowardice. I don’t want that to be the case.
We are becoming increasingly divisive, and it is tearing apart the fabric of our communities and our nation. We seem to be looking for ways to pull apart rather than pull together. Even the concept of “diversity” has been highjacked to represent division instead of unity. We want to label everyone according to distinct lines of division—there can be only “us” and “them”. We have a Spiritual problem.
As science is increasingly demonstrating the greater unity in our nature—e.g., quantum physics—religion is increasingly dividing. The Kingdom of God is perceived among Christians as “you are either in or out” rather than the invitation of humankind into the unity of what may be called the “Trinity”. I am learning that the calling of my faith is not to “enter the Kingdom” but rather to “be the Kingdom”. I am learning that salvation is not to be on the right side of the dividing line. Rather, it is to join the Force that pulses though all of Creation. It is to realize the individual purpose in the greater Universal Purpose. It is to recognize that we all have our role to play—no one greater or less than the next. I believe this is why the bible speaks so often of the body of Christ.
This Spiritual revolution is not a political revolution or a religious revolution. It is a revolution to change humanity. It is not a battle to be fought against sides. It is battle within to sacrifice self for the sake of others—to lose our self-centeredness and become other-centered.
We cannot correct the mistakes of the past. Repentance does not erase the sin. Forgiveness does not demand that we forget one’s past. Change merely requires that we leave the past—the old self—behind and grow forward.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!