One of the common phrases that is used around our house is, “We don’t do that.” When our children act out or fight with each other, we let them know that “We don’t do that.” Part of the reason that the word “we” is used is so they will always know we are a tribe, a family community. And being a part of the Mearns Tribe means we will always be there for each other and there are certain ways in which we do not treat each other. We want our children to be their own person, have their own identity, carve out the path in life that God has called them to. We really don’t care what they become as long as they are happy, and they don’t take advantage of other people to get ahead because as a Mearns……“We don’t do that.”
I have a suspicion that if Jesus would speak to the entire group of people who call themselves Christians today, we might hear, “we don’t do that.” There would probably be many critiques Jesus would have for the faithful disciples in the21st Century, but I believe the way we treat each other might top the list of concerns. Just as a parent, I want my children to get along despite their differences and the scriptures are full of the same desire God has for us.
We have talked extensively at the Covenant Church of the importance of being united in a country that seems to thrive on divisions. I believe that the church can be an example of how to live in this holy way. I am so excited that this Sunday we will start back our Sunday School Program. We will start back a little differently; we will meet as one adult group and the kids and youth will have their own classes. I am also excited about the topic we are going to start with, “Vanishing Grace.” Divisions among us good Christian people is a result of a lack of grace between each other. How can we learn to live from one of the main tenets of Jesus teaching? Grace! I hope you will all join us as we learn how to be one as Christ called us to be. Once we learn to show grace to all in all then we are on a path to showing unity despite our differences. And when people come along and want to cause division over differences, “we” can be the voice and the example to say, “We don’t do that.
“Blessings, Duawn