Grown Folks' Conversation

Some of you may be familiar with the phrase, "grown folks' conversation."  It is usually used in situations where children try to insert themselves into a conversation that is over their heads or suitable only for mature minds.

What President Obama did last night in his State of the Union Address was model what "grown folks' conversation" ought to look and sound like at the highest level.  Hopefully, our minds and spirits are mature enough to see beyond party affiliation to appreciate his attempt to help our leaders and all of us see that, at the end of the day, we are all on the same team--Team America.

Prayerfully our minds and spirits are mature enough to recognize that those seated in the audience demonstrated grown folks' response to grown folks' conversation. 

Across party lines, our leaders showed respect for the office and the occasion for which they were gathered by standing and applauding those points with which all could agree.  It was a refreshing departure from the usual schoolyard, stone-faced scowls that some in each party tend to display toward the other during these speeches.

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11).

President Obama essentially acknowledged that both parties, Republican and Democrat, shared responsibility for getting us into our current mess and that, consequently, both parties must share responsibility for getting us on track and moving forward.  Exactly how we do that will be determined from much debate, disagreements, and finally agreeing to disagree.  The key is that "grown folks" recognize that conflict must not be a dividing point, but a drawing point to force both sides to the table.

This approach is in line with the biblical way of handling disagreements and working toward unity.  It is a spiritually and emotionally mature approach to leadership, one that those of us who are Christians and leaders are directed to follow.

Acts 15 provides an excellent example of working together to resolving weighty matters.  Acts 15:7 explains that "...there had been much disputing...." regarding what was required of Gentiles in order to be received into the body of Christ.  Peter arose and boldly declared that God "...put no difference between us and them...." (verse 9).  Yet there were those "...which went out...and...troubled...with words..."(verse 24).

Ultimately, the apostles, elders and brethren carefully and prayerfully wrote a letter outlining their proposal to resolve the dispute.  The spirit with which they approached the issue was evident and was evidently right for, when the people read the letter, "... they rejoiced for the consolation" (Acts 15:31).

How we long for our political leaders to use more words of consolation instead of confrontation.  Name calling, labeling, stirring up fear and hatred have no place in grown folks' conversation.  Let's sincerely pray that the civility and (even small) attempts at unity displayed by our leaders last night will be a turning point in how we work together to steward what God has entrusted to us in this country.

Regardless of our political party affiliation, those of us who are Christians are united under the blood-stained banner of Jesus Christ, which trumps any political party.  As such, we are called to pray for (not against) those in leadership, for ultimately, "the government shall be upon His [Christ's] shoulders" (Isaiah 9:6).  That fact should be a sobering reminder that it is not our votes or party affiliation that will accomplish true justice in the land.  Rather, "the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this"(Isaiah 9:7).

So let's maintain the peace that passes understanding with regard to politics--a peace that shows our trust is ultimately in God, not any man or woman.  Let's be kind to those with whom we disagree, for we are admonished in Matthew 5:47 that, "if you are kind only to your brothers, how are you different from anyone else?  Even pagans do that."  And, let's lovingly but firmly explain to those that insist on being mean-spirited and divisive to stay out of grown folks' conversation.

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen