Scripture Reading:
Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members yet one body. – 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 (NRSVUE)
About ten years ago, my wife and I were serving at another United Methodist church in our conference. We had been married for 3 or 4 years, had no kids, and had just begun to settle into our new community. One Sunday, our pastor asked if we would be interested in starting a new Sunday School class with another couple. They were also new to the city and the church. We agreed and the Atlas Sunday School Class was born!
Atlas met in the old parsonage on the church campus, and, within a few months, we were overflowing. As it turned out, many people were looking for a place to learn about Jesus and connect with others.
As we got to know one another, we realized there was a wide variation of political beliefs among Atlas members. At first, our interactions were friendly but also cautious. We avoided discussing politics and focused solely on the bible lessons and guest speakers who would teach our class. That seemed to work for us.
Atlas quickly became our church family. We celebrated with each other when new babies arrived or new job opportunities came up, and we grieved with each other through the death of parents and family illnesses. We served on mission trips and at service projects together, and in a short two years, we became a pretty tight-knit group.
And then… the 2016 Presidential race began to heat up and it seemed that the world demanded we pick a side.
“Are you Red or Blue? Tell me now so we can fight about it!”
At this point, we had a good idea of where each of our fellow Atlas class members fell on the political spectrum. Plenty of times even the Sunday School lesson devolved into a political discussion. But (somehow) tempers never seemed to flare, and everyone treated each other with respect, knowing we would still be friends after we walked out of that old parsonage front door.
Atlas taught me that the Body of Christ is best represented when there is diversity. I feel like I always knew that. I had just never experienced it in a real way.
It’s pretty tough to have political hatred toward someone when you pray with them after a cancer diagnosis. It’s tough to harbor anger towards someone you’ve laid hands on before sending them on a church mission trip. It’s not possible to hate a brother in Christ, who you stood next to while their child was baptized.
When we start with Jesus’ Golden Rule and with the knowledge that the Body of Christ “does not consist of one member but many,” political differences should melt away.
As you navigate relationships with those who may hold different political beliefs or viewpoints, remember that the essence of Christ’s teaching is to love and serve others regardless of our differences. Embrace the opportunities to collaborate and grow together, allowing the Golden Rule to guide your actions.
Atlas is my example. What’s yours?
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the diverse body of Christ and our opportunities to serve together. Help us to look past our differences and see each other through the lens of Christ’s love. May we embody the Golden Rule in all our interactions, fostering unity and understanding in our ministry and beyond. Grant us the grace to work together, reflecting your compassion and kindness to the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Clint Church
Director of Communications
