The Need to be Right

Read Romans 12:9-21

Can I be honest with you? The state of our country makes me sad, anxious, and angry. Maybe you resonate with those emotions. I see the division that politics is promoting not only in our country, but inside of the church. In my finite mind I can’t see a solution to bring people across the divide, and it breaks my heart. 

This list that Paul gives us in Romans 12 is a tall order, and frankly in my humanness, I get a little annoyed. I get annoyed, because I, Lisa Kay Galloway, can’t achieve this list! I get annoyed because I put on the facade of listening to others, acting like I am an open minded person, when in the end I just want to be right and prove the other wrong. I get discouraged when I see brothers and sisters in Christ withholding empathy in discourse over social media, at the family table, and in friend groups. Communion with one another is diminishing. Have we traded the image of God in each other for the need to be right? 

You probably are already thinking “I see where this is heading…we can’t do any of this in our own strength but have to rely on the strength of God.” And yes…in so many words yes. 

Let me challenge you with verse 12: “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying” (Romans 12:12 NLT). As you enter into conversations (real conversations, without the agenda to be right), how will you rejoice in our confident hope? How will you be patient in trouble? Are you praying for God to guide and lead you in this divisive political season?

For Reflection: Respond in prayer using these words or your own. 

Dear Jesus, teach me how to “be one as You and the Father are one,” with my brothers and sisters, who may look, think, and come to different conclusions than me. Forgive me for the times I have not represented you well as I navigate this divisive political season. Lord, have mercy on us. In humility and love, may I walk in your ways. Amen.

by Lisa Kay Galloway