"We"

We are “we the people,”

But forget that big word “we,”

Replace it far too quickly,

By thinking just of “me.”

So if it’s us against them,

We can’t find common ground,

Forget one nation under God,

‘Cause He might not be found.

Most often our division,

Is based on that old ego,

Disregards the others,

And all the truth we know.

It’s you must lose if I win,

And me, myself, and mine,

And don’t you dare get in my way,

Run over every time.

But those old selfish feelings,

And disregard for others,

Is not the way to happiness,

Or how to treat our brothers.

No matter their skin color,

Or belief or creed,

It’s looking past division,

To recognize the need.

To rise and stand together,

And find the power of we,

Celebrate our differences,

Even when we disagree.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander…” (Eph. 4:31, NLT)

It’s one thing to disagree, another to be disagreeable. Getting along with people has never been about a unanimous vote on anything, but about overcoming differences to find common ground. Christians should lead the way by speaking and acting with grace. We are called to be peacemakers. That doesn’t mean we have no convictions. It just means we love people the way they are in order to influence them in the right direction. We aren’t going to argue anybody into the Kingdom anyway. Jesus was good at connecting with sinners, not condemning them, and then calling them to a new life. Finding that common ground won’t happen until we put aside our own rage and bitterness. Then we can learn to do what Jesus did.

Lord, help us to find common ground with people so that we may point them to You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Don Weller, donweller.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Don, and God bless you.