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A New Coalition |
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Article by Tom Gilbert — October 2004
From Merriam-Webster ONLINE
Coalition
1 a : the act of coalescing : UNION b : a body formed
by the coalescing of orig. distinct elements : COMBINATION
2 : a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons,
or states for joint action
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A Critical Time
We are at a critical time in the
United States and this approaching election is being
touted as one of the most important ever. There are
many indications to support the claim. We have many
challenging issues in front of us: fighting terrorism,
the war in Iraq, health care, unemployment, education
and the growing disparity between the “haves” and
the “have-nots”, among them.
It appears to me that many of us can agree on the problems.
But there is a great division on which ones to address
and how to approach them. I guess this is nothing new,
but the bickering and divisiveness seems to be more intense
than ever.
One of the things our country seemed united on before
going to war in Iraq was the importance of creating a
coalition of nations to undertake whatever action deemed
necessary. A true coalition that included a wide number
of nations never materialized, certainly not to the extent
hoped for.
What Does it Mean?
I’ve been thinking about what
a coalition means and how it might be applied to our country
and the issues we face.
Looking at the second definition listed above from the
Merriam-Webster dictionary we see that it is an alliance
of distinct sides joining together temporarily for joint
action. That definition certainly leaves room for separate
viewpoints and beliefs, but it gives the real opportunity
for people from different sides the ability to work together.
Why is our country currently so divided? Maybe we
aren't as divided as I think, although the media is
constantly saying we are. Regardless, right now
is the time when we need to come together. It was
a
clear cry from the populace and government immediately
following September 11, 2001. Now in the heat of the
election campaign the negative ads are intensifying,
the talk show hosts are increasingly vilifying candidates
they oppose and I fear the citizens are becoming either
increasingly hostile towards one another or complete
disillusioned.
I’m sure in the early days of the United States
there were many heated debates and divergent views.
Still, our founding fathers ultimately were united in
creating a country that honored individual rights and
a government of the people and for the people. Now I
see mostly a government for the special interests and
of those who have the power.
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Win/Lose
Never Wins
How do people on different sides of issues find a common
ground and work towards mutual solutions? We have a two-party system that
is often divided and both sides disagree a lot. It’s all so win-lose.
Whatever happened to finding the “win-win”?
Where is the seeking first to understand before being
understood?
Finding a WIN-WIN means searching for what we do agree
on, usually the bigger and broader issues and then finding
ways to move towards a solution that works. We see the
same divisiveness in Christianity and other religions/beliefs.
We can’t ignore the fundamentals, but we must always
be open to a bigger understanding and a way to include
minority opinions.
I believe we need a new coalition, one that emphasizes
the principles that are based on fairness, charity, compassion,
perseverance, endurance and love. These principles do
not need to be publicly mandated. We can’t enforce
them as legal law. It would violate the free will God
has place in all of us. But aren’t these principles
written in our hearts? Are they not “divine” law?
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It Starts with You...and
Me
The way to find this common ground must begin with each
of us on an individual level. If we don’t personally operate from
the position of peacemaker, diplomat and co-worker we can’t possible
expect to civilly discuss our differing positions. It’s ok to disagree.
We just don’t need to be disagreeable.
When the apostle Paul had his conversion it turned him
completely around from the position he thought was the
absolute right one. He truly believed in protecting the
interests of his people and religion and he saw the followers
of Jesus as an affront to this. Remarkably his conversion
brought about a new open-mindedness and an embracing
of the many values the Gospel espouses. Understanding,
compassion and faith were paramount to this new-found
attitude of inclusiveness. If he didn’t strongly hold these convictions he would
never have been able to confront Peter’s hypocrisy
regarding gentile believers.
Above all, he did it with love. As John wrote (1 John
4:20), “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet
hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does
not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God,
whom he has not seen.”
There are those bold and outspoken individuals who have
found a way to confront without a message of divisiveness,
but instead unity. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi
and Nelson Mandela are fine examples.
Let’s forge a new coalition – one that begins
with the changing of our hearts. We’ve got some
big problems. There’s no disguising that fact. Yet,
we know there is a solution. Real practical solutions
to our everyday challenges, including a way to live peaceably
and lovingly among each other with respect for our differences,
is a big part of the New Testament teaching. We’ve
got a great leader to rally around. Christ is our true
north in the compass of life who points the way through
servant leadership.
I’m willing to work for a new coalition. We can
come together as community despite our many differences
and do everything based on the one thing that unites
us all, regardless of our beliefs. I have faith and hope
in our potential.
Above all, though, is love.
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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1 CORINTHIANS 13:1 |
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"If I speak in the
tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am
only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. " |
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(NIV) |
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A Love Worth Giving |
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by Max Lucado |
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