Scripture: Psalm 69:6-15
Lord God of heavenly forces!— don’t let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me.God of Israel!— don’t let those who seek you be disgraced because of me.
I am insulted because of you. Shame covers my face.I have become a stranger to my own brothers, an immigrant to my mother’s children.Because passion for your house has consumed me, the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me!
I wept while I fasted— even for that I was insulted.When I wore funeral clothes, people made fun of me.Those who sit at the city gate muttered things about me; drunkards made up rude songs.
But me? My prayer reaches you, Lord, at just the right time.God, in your great and faithful love, answer me with your certain salvation!Save me from the mud! Don’t let me drown! Let me be saved from those who hate me and from these watery depths!
Don’t let me be swept away by the floodwaters! Don’t let the abyss swallow me up! Don’t let the pit close its mouth over me!
Consider:
At some point in my adulthood, my mother decided we were going to start praying in public. When we sat down to eat, she told us all to bow our heads and proceeded to have a some what long and awkward prayer. From time to time, this meant very confused wait staff trying to figure out how to do their jobs and deliver drinks or food while our heads were bowed. It was horrific and embarrassing and probably the right thing to do.
I don’t know what all of the sudden inspired her to start these meal time public prayers because it wasn’t something we did when I was I a child. I guess she decided I was old enough that my embarrassment wouldn’t kill me, or maybe she just understood prayer was possibly the easiest and least risky sign of public faith, so we should probably start doing it.
Either way, it is sometimes true making choices to live our faith in public can bring lots of strong reactions from other people, especially other Christians who feel judged or criticized for holding different beliefs or who choose not to talk about them in public.
Being honest about what we believe can lead to conflict. We cannot control other’s opinions or reactions, but we can show what grace, curiosity, and love of neighbor looks like when we do disagree. It’s possible that if we are brave enough to engage in conversation with other people who hold different opinions or thoughts, we might actually grow in our own faith, expanding what we think might be possible.
Respond:
he next time you find yourself in a conversation where a difference of opinion arises, try to use the “Tell Me More” technique:
* Resist the Rebuttal: When you feel your body tense up to defend your position or make you feel shame, take one deep breath.
* Ask an Open Question: Instead of explaining why they are wrong, say: “That’s a different perspective than I have. Can you tell me more about how you came to believe that?”
* Listen for the “Why”: Look for the experience or story behind their opinion. You don’t have to agree with their conclusion to honor their journey and eliminate the shame or judgement which might have come.
Pray:
God, give me a brave heart and a quiet tongue. When I disagree with my neighbor, replace my defensiveness with a holy curiosity. Help me see conflict not as a wall, but as a doorway to deeper understanding. May Your grace be the bridge that helps us both grow. Amen.
