Hear from the ministers of the region — via the Greater Shepparton Combined Churches — in our new series, Church in our Community. Today’s column comes from Greater Shepparton Ministers’ Association chair Jeremy Rensford
It feels like a cliché — “We are living in unprecedented times”.
And yet, it is again an apt saying with the war in the Middle East escalating.
It seems many who have an interest in what’s happening over there have a strong view.
One of the issues with strong opinions is that it can potentially lead to blow-ups with those who don’t share our opinions.
We’ve seen this same dynamic in play following the referendum.
It must be a terribly disappointing result for those who advocated for and voted ‘Yes.’
No matter which way you voted, my prayer is that the fallout from this vote would be that we, as people of Greater Shepparton, can unite and say “Yes” to work together as one community.
To see Aboriginal people fully accepted and integrated into this community.
We won’t stop until Aboriginals are fully valued and respected and see real movement toward better outcomes in a lasting way.
I encourage us to desist from putting others down who don’t agree with us.
It’s so easy to take shots at one another on social media.
However, when I’m tempted to do this, really all I want to do is get others to agree with me to prove that I’m right.
I’m not sure this does anything to help the cause I’m arguing about.
Jesus operated so well in this space of tension and division.
He was forthright with his views, but he had an amazing capacity to show empathy, compassion, and love to those who disagreed with him.
There’s not much harsher disagreement than someone arranging for you to be executed.
And yet to those that did, Jesus said the following famous words from the cross they hung him on — “Father (God) forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.”
I wonder what society would look like if we followed Jesus’ teachings and actions when it came to conflict.
The reality is we’ll never agree on everything. Yet, it’s what we do when we disagree that counts.
Jesus also offered a preposterous goal — “love your enemies and pray for them.” Revolutionary words that are arguably more relevant than ever.
So, in a potentially divided community, with world and local affairs being so volatile, may we locals around Greater Shepparton get around each other in unity.
We come from all walks of life and see all these current issues through different lenses.
However, true tolerance is to have empathy and compassion for those who share a vastly different view from our own.
I pray for peace in the Middle East and beyond that, for us all to walk in unison in Greater Shepparton.
These unprecedented times demand it.