Being a "D" Student; choosing Dignity in the midst of Division

What then shall we say about this? One of favorite church historians/theologians is Diana Butler Bass. She commented that this is a dangerous week for preaching. The difficult text around divisions found in Luke 12 for this Sunday is very challenging. I find myself worn out and weary, by all the divisions in our world. Maybe you can identify with this? Drip drip drip. It has seemed relentless for years now that there are many topics that have become land mines. Don't bring up this. Don't talk about that. Trying to discern how to be in relationship with those who see things differently can seem like an impossible task. 

Trying to read the signs, making assumptions, seeking to tiptoe around topics is exhausting. And now this. Jesus came to bring division into this world. What!? in her newsletter in The Cottage Diana Butler Bass notes that this is the week every preacher which wishes she were on vacation. True. And … we get to see that Jesus also becomes worn out and weary with how hard life and relationships can be. There is a snapshot of Jesus stressed and distressed.

Divisions. Disagreements. Difficult conversations. Jesus speaking to his disciples about the cost of following him. No “Mr. Nice Guy” Jesus in this chapter of Luke. Jesus is fired up and maybe in his own way burned out on how many people are missing his message. What is a preacher to do with a reading like this?  

To pause and pray. To study and consider what this means for us now. To ponder the context of this time in Jesus’ ministry and his world and ponder our current time. Jesus often finds ways to take a break, take time to be quiet, to retreat and he is often pressed in on and pressed upon by the great needs of those around him. Still committed to taking two consecutive days off of work despite the many things to get done; I spent time with two friends I have known for more than 20 years. 

For over 10 of those years these friends and I got together weekly with a small group. Together we were intentional in seeking spiritual growth, learning about emotional intelligence, finding ways to discover more about how God created each one of us to be uniquely ourselves.  We apprised ourselves of tools and resources we could use to be our best selves. We shared our challenges and encouraged one another. We helped one another bear our burdens. Intentionally seeking to live from a place of love instead of fear or judgment we provide haven and refuge for one another.

It was a good counterbalance to spend time with them and to remember during a week of wondering what will there be to say about these hard and harsh words of Jesus.  It is powerful when we learn together. It is powerful when we pray for one another. It is powerful when we share our stories and make space for one another. And as we enjoyed a leisurely meal we got talking about the Dignity Index. I am so grateful for the wise and wonderful friends in our community who keep growing, learning and sharing and who introduced this resource to me. It will be shared as part of our worship tomorrow as we explore the “D’s” of discipleship, dignity, and daring to love those whom we perceive as our enemies.  

As I struggled with what to say about these difficult words of Jesus a song from my childhood came back to me because it included the word “dignity”. In the song We are one in the Spirit in verse 3 we sing, “we will work with each other, we will work side by side, and we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.”. It is the refrain of that song that my 8 year old self took to heart and hears as the call of Jesus again and again, “they will know we are Christians by our love. 

Music can be a source of healing. And often it is in the hearing that we begin to experience some of the healing. To be a “D” student who chooses dignity in the midst of division is to trust that God’s love is limitless. Anchored in love we can be courageous in speaking out against hatred. We encourage one another in taking action to care.  We can encourage one another to advocate  and take action to care for the well being of all people. 

At the lowest level of the Dignity Index is the dehumanization of another. God comes into this world to talk on our own form- to become human. Jesus came into this world not to destroy it, but to save it. His message of love for all people caused deep divisions among those who could not accept that no one was outside of God’s love. As our evening came to a close my friends and I spoke about how we will keep encouraging one another to let in this love of God. How will you let in God’s love? Who will you let walk with and work with you to guard everyone’s dignity and save each one’s pride? Together let us keep one another fueled and aflame.