This week, we have seen the worst of humanity on full display in the state of Texas. In the aftermath of one of the most horrifying school massacres in history, many of us are left feeling helpless and hopeless.
In moments like these, it is easy to allow our anger and sadness to get the best of us as we discuss this tragedy and others like it. Senseless violence, especially involving innocent children, elicits strong feelings in all of us. We all have a desire to solve this problem, to put an end to the carnage — no one wants to see these tragedies occur.
With that in mind, I have some unsolicited advice to offer: Think the best of each other.
It sounds a simple, but it’s not — certainly not in today’s political environment. These days, it seems like we are too quick to buy into caricatures about others.
I am guilty of this.
You know what a caricature is, right? Go to any carnival or amusement park, and you are certain to find someone there who will accept money to draw a portrait of you with the most exaggerated features — to be comical or even grotesque.
What I’ve seen in recent years is more grotesque than funny. Many people, including some Christians I know, seem eager to buy into the caricatures about other people who are not like them in a specific way. In this environment, simple disagreements become much bigger — it can become us versus them.
There are people in my life, and yours, who believe stereotypes about people of different faiths, people of different sexual orientations or political parties. In the simplest sense, stereotypes are caricatures. They are distortions of the truth and are not constructive, especially in the context of our faith. As Christians, we must think the best of each other; we must not assume the worst motivations in others; we must ensure that our approach is always marked by kindness and humility.
If we are not willing to accept as true stereotypes about us, why would we accept them about others? What if someone pointed to the very worst example of a Christian, and then projected that image onto us? How would we feel?
Don’t buy the caricatures; treat everyone as an individual, worthy of your respect. It is the only way that we will ever be able to have constructive dialogue that could lead to positive change.
Enjoy your holiday weekend. We will see you next Sunday!
The Pipe 