by Mike James

Black Lives Matter (BLM). Let the words resonate in your mind for a moment. What are you thinking about? Are you thinking about peaceful protests that are trying to overcome oppressive behavior? Are you thinking about black people who have been killed by the police in circumstances that could have been avoided? Are you thinking of slavery in the United States? You might even be thinking of an organization called BLM. Some of you might even be thinking of protesters turning violent and causing mayhem. Or maybe you are thinking of racist behavior directed at black people in the United States throughout our history. There are other possibilities you could be thinking about, too. 

Now get ready, here is the test for you. All the examples I wrote down in the first paragraph are true about the words BLM to someone. What you thought of first and what resonates more for you is due to many factors that are unique to you. Try to believe that all of those examples and others can really be BLM depending on someone’s perception. I’m not saying perception is reality; what I’m saying is if you were another person you could have their same perception. Pardon the pun, but our world is not black and white. It is very gray.

I have become aware of some concern in the Church over the past few months in regard to politics, race, and religion. I’ve heard from ministers and lay people alike locally, nationally, and internationally. The problem seems to be there are differing opinions on what is presently happening socially in America and some parts of the world. I became keenly aware of this a few months back when I wrote a blog about racial tension. Some read my words in a different light then I intended. Through conversation I was able to better explain what my words meant.

I have listened to some of the sermons of my fellow elders that have been called into question and I could not disagree with what they were saying. But having thought about it for a month or two now I think I understand why some of our messages, comments, and articles have been seen by some of our brethren in a negative light.

This short blog is only scratching the surface, but hopefully thinking a little more empathically can help us all.

The definition I will use for empathy is the ability to feel what someone else is feeling from their frame of reference. Now having empathy is difficult, it is literally walking in someone else’s shoes.

Let me give you an example. Recently a couple in my local group expressed some concern to me about something they had heard from a CGI elder dealing with some of our present social issues.  They took offense to some political comments.   Later I heard one of the members of this couple talk about the same issues in greater detail.  In listening for a longer period of time I heard the person express how worried he was for his daughter when thinking about some of the issues that have taken place.  This helped me understand his earlier concerns with the political comments.  My personal opinion is we should leave politics outside of our church services.  It can be a divisive issue.

So to better understand each other we need to converse with each other in greater detail. Those who have suffered discrimination and racism need to tell their stories. Those of us who have not experienced these things need to listen. By telling each other our stories it will be easier for some to understand why some of us hear things differently. This is the closest we can get to empathy without living similar stories. More importantly the reason empathy is so important is because Jesus had it to a greater degree than any of us and we need to emulate Him.

By living as a human being Christ proved his empathy for us. He literally walked in our shoes. In order to be our high priest (Hebrews 2:17) He had to become like us. It also says in this same scripture becoming like us had something to do with His mercy in being our High Priest. 

Finally let us not forget Hebrews 2:10, which mentions Christ being made perfect through suffering. In order to really be empathetic it takes work. You have to listen and put your ego on the shelf. You don’t need to be right or debate. Just really be with the struggles of your brethren, which may not be the same as your own. Since Christ did this for us we must do it for each other. That goes to people on either side of the fence on political and social issues causing fissures in the Church today.

Having empathy does not mean we have to agree with each other. What it does mean is we need to continue to take the time to talk and listen to each other. Over time this will lead to greater understanding of our differences.

No politician or political system is going to solve all of our problems. Nothing man devises can equate with the Kingdom of God. Just being in the Church will not guarantee we see eye to eye on everything. But the most important thing to all of us should remain Christ, and He is enough to keep us united.

I have a copy of a poem that helps remind me why we don’t always see things the same way. I hope it will help you.

Compassion by Miller Williams

“What appears bad manners, an ill temper or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You do not know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets the bone.”