Something shifted during the years of the COVID pandemic (primarily between 2020-2022). Between the ire of isolation, the rise of disinformation within the news media, and the arena of social media, a spirit of divisiveness invaded our culture. With it, came a certain sense of freedom to speak our minds. Be it opinions regarding COVID policies, or of politics, ethics, or religion, factions rose like separate kites in prominence, each trailing with intense emotion. Gone were the days of putting into practice the Lord’s admonition through the pen of the Apostle Paul, (if we ever really had):
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
(Romans 12:16-18, emphasis mine).
Live in harmony.
Live peaceably.
Seek to strive for that which is in the interest of others.
Consider the feelings of other people.
Why risk relationship for the sake of taking up sides?
Cultivate a spirit of amicability, of friendliness.
Maintain your own opinions without stirring up controversy.
Yet, controversy has gone into the pot of communication-soup in excessive amounts and is stirred over the fire regularly.
If we’re going to get back on the right track, the obvious question we have to ask is this one:
What is in my heart that spills out in such hostility and dissension?
It’s a valid question, since:
…what comes out of the mouth (or keyboard) proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.
(Matthew 15:18-20a, emphasis mine)
Most often, the answer to that question is anger or irritation over a felt-need. In other words, there’s something we want, so badly, that we war within, and (oops!), out of the mouth it flows. Much of the time it’s a need to be right, to be heard, to be seen and validated. But, whatever our NEED, it over-shadows how someone else might be affected.
Oh, we can attempt to hide behind the vehicle of quoting someone else, defaulting to, “Oh, I didn’t say that - he did (or, she did);” and, yet, someone somewhere feels the sting and their soul is troubled.
I’m not pointing fingers. I simply can’t. I’m guilty, as well.
After taking a four-month sabbatical from all things social media over last summer, I recognized just how subtly this shift towards personal opining took place. So much so, I didn’t even recognize it in myself…until I did.
That’s when an old prayer from St. Francis of Assisi floated across my desk. All through my college years, this poem was tacked on my bulletin board beside my dorm-room-desk. I read it so many times, it became mine. It’s what I long to be, as I strive to live my life in a Christ-like manner.
If I want to flesh out the gospel (and, I do!) - this prayer expressed my hope, as it did St. Francis back in 1912 (at the prelude of another era of conflict and uproar).
The prayer begins: “Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace…”
Let it be your reflection today, as it has been mine...and, maybe a New Year's Goal for us all in 2026.
Something to Think About
Read this prayer contemplatively. Perhaps it will gel with your spirit, and become a prayer of your heart, as well. I can’t think of any other words that would so express a greater need for us as Jesus-followers in this season. Apply it as you might…
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace!
Where there is hatred…let me sow love.
Where there is injury…pardon.
Where there is doubt…faith.
Where there is despair…hope.
Where there is darkness…light.
Where there is sadness…joy.
Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled…as to console.
To be understood…as to understand.
To be loved…as to love.
For it is in giving…that we receive;
It is in pardoning…that we are pardoned;
It is in dying…that we are born to eternal life.
