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A Morning View Near the Patio

In our culture we have become consumers. It seems we seek the new and the best, often beyond what we can afford. We are selfishly consumed by all that we can get, whether it is the next best item, the next best deal or money and power. Even in the church, a disciple making factory, we seem to be focused on more, bigger and better. 
During this pandemic there are opposing viewpoints about what is going on and who is gaining and losing, how it is being handled and what should be done. There seems to be a large amount of I and me statements and attitudes. I do not write this to debate any or all of the sides, I only share my observation with the intent of trying to truly love and understand one another.
What I do encourage us as Christians to do, no matter which end or middle place we stand, is to surrender. What surrender???
I try to always approach situations from the understanding that I am probably wrong. I think of every point and counterpoint from different perspectives and viewpoints. I strive to see the big umbrella picture from the "others" perspective. I surrender the strong stance and belief I have in what I hold to be true so that I am able to better connect with the differing viewpoint or stance. 
I surrender. 
Surrendering does not mean I give in and let others have their way even if I believe it is wrong or God is leading me differently. My definition of surrendering in these settings is allowing others to have voice, beliefs, thoughts and position. It promotes conversation and understanding of one another. It creates open doors to welcome and hear one another and does not build walls just because I may strongly believe I am right. 
Surrendering might mean I am partially wrong, or even God forbid, I might be totally off base. Surrendering to self and living like the Jesus proclaims is so different from the way the world lives and how we are taught to live in our world. Living like Jesus Christ focuses on the other. Jesus did. He was particularly focused on the poor and downtrodden. But he also was willing to love the privileged. In fact, he loved them so much that he challenged the privileged to live like the example he was living right before them. 
Some questions for us to ponder. Do we claim to be a believer and follower of Jesus Christ? Have we or will we surrender our complete selves to follow Jesus Christ? Do we desire to live in the new resurrection Jesus Christ has set before us? Might we be wrong? Maybe not, but it is a good way to begin our thinking. Can we surrender ourselves to take on the character of Christ we proclaim? Are we Christian by label or by action?
“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.
Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.”            - Colossians 3:1-4  The Message
Peace?
PB

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