by Karen Lynn Woo
Justin and Josie, 17-year-old twins, stood arguing in the kitchen about the recent election. Although they were not yet old enough to vote, they were old enough to have very definite, and vastly different, opinions about what should be (in their opinion) the priorities of the president of the United States. Rachel was proud of the fact that her children were smart, savvy, and interested in world events. She was also tired of hearing them bicker.
“Mom,” said Josie, “don’t you agree the reason we have had so many fires this year is because of climate change? Our president’s top priority should be the environment!”
“Wrong!” shouted Justin. “The states just need to make forest management THEIR priority! Less fuel. Less fires!”
Rachel shook her head. This type of argument had been going on for months . . . years really . . . just like the arguments that were taking place all over the United States. This despite the fact the elections were over. The problem was such arguments were also beginning to erode their relationship . . . just as such arguments had eroded relationships across the nation. “You know,” she said turning to face them, “there was a time when Americans of different viewpoints could argue their point of view, recognize that neither side was 100% right, and come together to find a better solution together than either of them had come up with individually. Now it seems everyone from the various members of our Congress right down to you two has decided they are God . . . that they alone know better than anyone else what is best for everyone else. But that is just not true. You are both intelligent teens. How can you not see that neither climate change nor forest management alone will stop the fires? Just as we need to manage our forests, we need to manage the way we live to minimize the effects of climate change. But both must be balanced with the needs of the American people and their relationships with one another . . . relationships which are breaking down as we . . . more and more . . . worship the god called, “Me, myself, and I.” No man is an island. We need one another. We need to listen to, and carefully consider, the viewpoints of others; we need to work together to come up with the best ideas and solutions. God made people to look, think, and act differently . . . even twins like the two of you . . . to complement one another and make up for one another’s deficiencies. None of us is perfect, save for the one human being who was also fully God . . . Jesus . . . God incarnate. Do you remember what he said is the greatest commandment?
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength,” said Justin.
“The second is this,” continued Josie, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
“Yes, exactly,” replied their mother. In other words, “Love God. Love Others.” Unfortunately, what we see in today’s world is not “Love God. Love Others,” but “Love those who are like me. Love those who think and act as I do. Everyone else is an ignorant bigot.”
After a few moments of silence Justin turned to Josie. “I’m sorry sis,” he said. “I don’t think you are ignorant, and I know you are not a bigot.” He paused and then continued, “Mom’s right. Politics is important but not THAT important.”
“No, it’s not,” replied Josie. “I’m sorry too. To be honest, I’ve missed collaborating with you on our school projects. Mom’s right. We do our best work when we work together. And you know, in four years there will be another election and by then we can each vote for the candidates of our choice!”
“And agree to disagree if we cast our votes for different people,” said Justin with a grin.
“And we can also encourage our senators and representatives to work together for the good of the American people,” said Josie.
“Agreed,” said Justin nodding.
Rachel sat down at the kitchen table and motioned to the twins to do the same. “Whoever or whatever you decide to vote for, I hope you will vote for the person or issue that best aligns with your Christian faith.”
Justin and Josie stared at their mother and then at one another. “But we’ve been told in school that faith shouldn’t play a role in the decisions made by our leaders,” said Justin. Josie nodded in agreement.
“I know of no true believer who can separate their faith from who they are. The foundation of our character is our faith. Jesus said, ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’ Yet Jesus never forced himself on others. He simply showed through his teachings and by the way He lived His life who God is, how God relates to His people, and how we are to relate to one another as God’s children. Likewise, we are not to force Jesus or our beliefs on others, but we ARE called to show them the love of God through our words and actions.
Silence ensued as Justin and Josie considered their mother’s words.
“You know mom, what you’ve told us today is something others need to hear too,” said Josie.
“I agree,” said Justin nodding. You’ve given us a lot to think about.
“Yes, well,” said Rachel with a smile, “then don’t be surprised if you hear it from the pulpit.” And getting up from the table she went over and kissed the heads of her two children, sat down at her computer, and began to type her sermon for Sunday.
Turning to Josie Justin said, “I noticed the Christmas tree lot at the edge of town just opened for business. Shall we go take a look and maybe pick one out?”
Josie nodded. “Just let me grab a jacket. I’ll meet you by the front door in two minutes.”
As the door closed behind them Rachel smiled and typed “Reconciliation . . . God’s Reason for the Season.”
Karen Lynn Woo is a regular contributor to Purpled Nail and a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)