All humans have something in common. We have a deep, inconsolable longing to feel hope, joy, meaning and love. No matter where you were born, where you are now, or where you’re going, we all share this yearning. Why is this?
It’s because are all created equal and are endowed by our Creator with “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” All humans are entitled to these rights because they come from the “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”
No matter one’s gender, race, color or creed, we all have secret allies in our hearts that know this. That does not mean we all admit it, recognize it to the same degree, or explain it the same way, but it is all part of the universal human experience. God has implanted such longing in the hearts of every person.
This motivates me to step into the awkwardness of healthy conversations in a kind, gentle, compassionate and loving way with others. It inspires me to ask empathetic questions, listen carefully and pray for the Holly Spirit to help me identify allies in each conversation. These secret allies are deep-seated intuitions and longings that can help a person recognize the truth. I can engage these allies in pursuit of that person’s ultimate joy.
This also compels me to overcome the fear that the “ground is not level” when it feels like I occupy the less defendable ground because the other person is likely to judge my beliefs as foolish or weak. In truth, the ground is not level, but not in the way I might fear.
I often have the advantage because I have the unseen allies residing in the heart of the other person on my side. If I listen carefully and prayerfully to what they are saying, then the Holy Spirit will show me how to use those allies. I simply need to care more about the other person than protecting my reputation or demonstrating how right I am. I need to prioritize our likenesses over our differences.
We all have this one thing in common. Let’s kindly, gently, compassionately and lovingly step into the awkwardness.
MindWolves 