opinion | əˈpinyən – a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
truth | tro͞oTH – the quality or state of being true; that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.
reality | rēˈalədē – the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.
persevere | [pərsəˈvir] persevering (present participle) – continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.
past | [past] – beyond the scope, capacity, range or sphere of something or someone.
objectionable | əbˈjekSH(ə)nəb(ə)l – arousing distaste or opposition; offensive · unpleasant · disagreeable · distasteful · displeasing · unacceptable.
perspective | \ pər-ˈspek-tiv – the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed; the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance.
Persevering Past Objectionable Perspectives
I don’t think anyone would disagree that division in the United States is an obvious reality. The problem with division is that it doesn’t unite, it divides. That’s right, division is a divider. Division can also be a detrimental demoralizer. In most cases division makes something weaker, not stronger. We are the United States of America, but most would agree in many areas of life, like morals values, policies and principles we are not united as a country overall. Some would say that this dilemma was caused by our previous president, while others would say it was the president who served before him who actually caused it. Many would say we have always been divided, while others may say that it has never been like this before, or, at least not this bad. Whether it’s agendas, policies, values, morals, principles, race or gender, we stand divided on so many fronts! Nonetheless, the greater concern I have in regard to the division we face as a country, is the division that it is creating in our everyday lives. This political and cultural division in America and around the globe is creating division in families, friendships, marriages, workplaces, churches and etc. We are dividing individually over matters that we ultimately can’t control and we are taking sides over issues that in some ways don’t effect us personally. However, that doesn’t make it right and it doesn’t mean that you or I shouldn’t stand up or speak out for what we believe to be right! But, this must been done in love with wisdom and through grace. Remember, even Jesus Himself instructed His disciples to be as wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove when dealing with others who may not have been receptive to their practices and or teaching.
I have given my life to the practices of Christianity and to the study and sharing of God’s word for over thirty seven years. Therefore, I can’t just adjust what I believe to be the infallible Word of God and the absolute truth, all because of what someone thinks or feels. However, it also doesn’t mean that I can’t love or be considerate or be kind, just because I don’t agree with someone or some issue that is being discussed or demonstrated. But, at the same time, I also realize that many also have varying interpretations and beliefs in regard to what the Bible says or doesn’t say concerning certain moral issues and consensual diverse behaviors. Nonetheless, there in lies the problem again of more division and varying perspectives on what has determined our perspective or that has helped form someone’s opinion over a particular concern, decision or value. For example, within evangelical Christian circles or within a particular political party, someone may even express and view different opinions or perspectives in regard to beliefs, agendas or policies. What one may consider to be conservative or moral, another would consider the same issue to be insensitive or inhumane. On one hand you have the whole cancel culture and politically correct extreme views and on the other hand you have conspiracy theories and exaggerated ideals of reality. I should also mention the hot topic issues that have unfortunately become political agendas that have helped form policies for things like: abortion, transgenderism, the legalizing of same sex marriage, border control, illegal aliens, citizenship, vaccines, gun control or becoming oil independent. I am sure as you read this list you already rehearsed your opinion or ideal in your own mind in regard to these issues. We could also talk about other issues like: social distancing, limits, restrictions, closures, masks, the COVID vaccines and stimulus checks. With all of these scenarios and concerns there also comes with them an opinion on what you, I or someone else might think or believe. And, with these opinions, can come disagreements and division as well. So, what do we do? I think we start by loving, listening, learning and growing. That’s right! We love. We listen. We learn. We grow. We strive to understand, even when we don’t agree. We strive to be cordial and considerate even when we don’t see eye to eye. Nonetheless, I didn’t say that we should compromise or condone. But, we also shouldn’t be critical or condemn. And, we shouldn’t cancel everyone that doesn’t agree with us, either! However, this has to be the same for both sides. It can’t be that I only listen to you when I agree with what you’re saying – and vice versa! But, you also can’t except most people to unite or rally around a cause that they don’t align with or agree with either. Nonetheless, that still doesn’t mean that you have to be critical or condescending, though. I also believe that this means that we can also agree to disagree and still be considerate. We also must rally and unite around things that we can agree upon and those things in life that truly matter. We love. We listen. We learn. We grow. We strive to understand, even when we don’t agree. We also use common sense, in which there seems to be a lack of today, especially in some religious circles and in most political arenas of government.
Thus, the title for this blog: “I am persevering past objectionable perspectives.” If you know me you know that I like words and the meaning that they possess. So, here’s what I mean when I say that I am “Persevering Past Objectionable Perspectives.” Persevering– I am continuing in a course of action even in the face of frustration and difficulty, even if there is no prospect of achieving success. Past– I am moving beyond the scope, capacity, range or sphere of something or someone that is objectionable. Objectionable– something that arouses distaste or opposition; offensive · unpleasant · disagreeable · distasteful · displeasing · unacceptable. Perspective(s)– the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed; the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance. And, perspective is really the deterrent for how we ultimately view, value or determine how we feel, respond or who’s side we take in regard to the matter at hand. Perspective is what led me to write this blog. You see, what you’re going through or what you are experiencing at any given moment can determine the opinion you have in regard to what may be taking place. For example, I saw a meme on social media in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Amish. Any other time, I may have agreed or thought it to be humorous. However, since I had just lost two close relatives to the virus only a few days prior to seeing the meme, I didn’t find the meme nearly as funny as I might have earlier in the year. What happened? My perspective had changed because of what I had experienced. A year ago, I may have laughed and agreed, but last week I just lost close family members to COVID-19, therefore my opinion had changed in regard to this perspective. Now, in reality there are many opinions and views that are formed or dismantled all because of one’s perspective, not just mine. And, in culture there are many perspectives that others share that I don’t agree with, but there are also many whom don’t agree with me either! We will never agree with everyone on every issue, that’s why we must use consideration and kindness to bring healing and unity. Love, wisdom, mutuality, kindness and consideration are the keys to healing disagreements and striving toward unity.
So, in a world filled with so many opposing ideologies how do you show consideration and mutuality to those who don’t share your opinion or regard your perspective as being correct or valid? Remember, just because someone hasn’t had my experience or doesn’t share my opinion or value my perspective, that doesn’t mean that I can’t be kind or show mutual consideration, even if it means we disagree. No this, you can only live at the level of experience or revelation that you have had or received. And, it is your experience, opinion and ideals that help form your perspective. A tainted perspective can taint your view of a situation or person. And, the wrong perspective can cause you to see things unclearly and view situations illogically. Nonetheless, the right perspective can help you see things clearly and reasonably. I pray that we rally around and unite around those things that we can agree upon, those things in life that truly matter! I pray that we love, we listen, we learn and we grow. It is my hope that we strive to understand, even when we don’t agree with one another. In closing, here are seven things that I am hoping, praying and believing for as I “Persevere Past Objectionable Perspectives.”
7 Things to Help You Persevere Past Objectionable Perspectives:
- Use wisdom and be gentle.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide your heart, direct your thoughts and dictate your words.
- Speak the truth in love.
- Listen with an open heart, open ears and an objective mind.
- Don’t allow prejudices or past experiences to cause you to not hear clearly what others are saying, although you may not agree with them.
- Don’t allow the continuous daunting of others’ opinions to taint your perspective of what you know to be true.
- Don’t grow weary in well doing. – Gal. 6:9
