Photo by Maureen Kennedy Macel
We all have our own thoughts, opinions, and experiences, and we tend to think that we’re right about things and the way we see the world. But it’s no surprise that many people think and feel differently than we do because of their own experiences – experiences that are true to them.
God’s love reminds us that we are to seek understanding in our differences. We must humble ourselves to listen to and respect other people’s truths, whether we see things differently. Let us not cling too strongly to our own thoughts, opinions, and experiences that we reject other people and lose sight of the overarching Truth that is God’s love for all.
In scripture Jesus performs miracles and heals people. Let’s look at two different stories of how Jesus healed blind men:
Mark 10: As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, "Go wash in the Pool of Siloam." So the blind man went and washed, and came back able to see.
John 9: As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. …Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
Now, imagine these two men meet and get to talking. One man might say, "I was blind, but Jesus healed me. Here’s how Jesus heals the blind: He makes mud out of his spit, puts it on the person’s eyes, and then the person washes it off." The other man might say, "No, that’s not true. I was blind, but Jesus healed me. Jesus heals the blind by telling them their faith has saved them."
It’s easy to imagine that both men would strongly argue their positions. Both are telling the truth. Both think they are right and are pulling from their direct experience. But if they fixate on their own positions and experiences without understanding and respecting the other person’s, they miss out on the greater overarching truth: Jesus' love and healing for both of them.
Working through differences is challenging, but the the Lord is our strength. When we interact with others, who is in control: The Spirit of God (humility and grace) or our egos (desire for superiority)? Let's ask ourselves: Am I listening? Am I trying to understand? Do I really see the person in front of me? Am I seeking peace?
Let's seek understanding and respect other people’s thoughts, opinions and experiences – their truth. Let's not become obsessed with our own truth that we become blind to the greater Truth. Let's always be mindful of God’s love, mercy, and desire for humanity to be united in Christ.
"In the perspective of infinity, our differences are infinitesimal." Fred Rogers, Dartmouth College, 2002
