This is a time where we all need to receive and give compassion, care, grace, forgiveness, love, and hope.

Let me start by answering what some may be thinking after simply reading that one statement. Yes, this pertains to me as well. I am the kind of Christian who wants to be like Christ, i.e., the kind of Christian who has had to come to terms with failure, because I’ve learned that I cannot live up to that standard. I have also been a pastor for more than a decade, at multiple churches, and I know that my initial statement pertains to the people in the church just as much as anyone else. Heck, that first statement should be taken to heart by Christians most severely.

So, to address the “well, what about you?” rebuttal – when I say “we” I mean that in the most widely encompassing sense.

There is a downward spiral happening in our culture that I’m pretty sure everyone in this country is aware of … and we are quick to show how each of us has been hurt, and just as quick to point out those who have hurt us.

I won’t play the “I remember when …” or the “It was better when …” game, because that doesn’t help. The fact is, we are here now. I also won’t point to who I believe is making these problems worse, because that, too, won’t help.

There is a point at which the blaming needs to stop, even if we think/believe/know that those we are blaming are both the cause of all our problems, and they are the ones who need to fix the problem. Instead, we need to ask ourselves, is it more important to be proven right (or to prove others wrong), or do we want to live in peace with our neighbors?

Yes, we are really at the point where we can’t have both. If a “mea culpa” is more important than peace in our communities – we won’t get either.

And this is where Christians should look to the tenants of the Christian faith (back to the basics/foundation) and be the agents of change for peace.

The righteous indignation needs to stop. As does the hatred, anger, insults, and desire for others to be punished or get what’s coming to them. Like I said, I’m the kind of Christian that continues to be humbled the more I try to be like Christ – but, I will continue, with Christ’ help, to try treat others as He would. When they hurled insults at Jesus, he didn’t retaliate. When Jesus suffered at the hands of others, he made no threats. When Jesus hung dying on a cross, he asked God to forgive.

This is a time for compassion, care, grace, forgiveness, hope, and above all love. And, while I stand by my initial statement that this is something that we all need to give and receive, I encourage all my Christian brothers and sisters … don’t wait to receive these things before you start giving them. The process of healing starts when we decide not to retaliate, not to hate, not to wish ill on others, but to accept suffering, and give back compassion, love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy.  We are, after all, instructed to treat our enemies with love, and those who persecute us with prayer.

I pray that Christ will also give me the strength to love God and love others as myself.