GIVEN

 (Part 5 of a 5-part series. Part 1 here, Part2 here. Part 3 here. Part 4 here.)

Given.

Every year since we moved here, my spouse’s aunt has invited us to join her and friends at her country club for Thanksgiving dinner. (I know, I know.) The last time we went (2019) we all talked about our families and lives at the aunt’s house afterward. Then someone brought up politics. With the exception of one person, everyone listened when others shared their opinions and no one was shamed. We knew they were Republicans from previous years, but getting to know them as people before we really got into it – not arguing, just getting deep into the discussion – helped us see them as people, not caricatures. It was a beautiful and holy communion.

Given.

We are saved (however we define that word) not to just go through life for ourselves and follow certain rules. No, we are saved to continue Jesus’s work of loving people. That is what we were all doing during that Thanksgiving evening, loving people. Believe me, it was hard not to come at them with facts and anger, but, you see, we had just learned about their families and that connection was more important. Recognizing the dignity of others is the basis for loving them. That means mocking, making fun of, wishing others ill for their opinions, are all off the table. God’s table is about love.

Given to be Consumed

We are given to those around us to love them in whatever way they need love. There are so many ways to love others – helping, advocating, mourning when they mourn, healing, listening, being available, voting, supporting, smiling, saying hello, sharing meals. Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples to eat. To be consumed. Our lives in Christ are to be given and used for a higher purpose, spent in service to those around us.

Consumed.

The funny thing is this doesn’t just happen once. At least in my experience, as we grow in our spiritual lives, more is revealed to us and we get (re)broken, blessed, and given in many ways. I say broken, but here it is more of a reorientation of our thinking and way of being. Our ideas get broken and reformed as do our lives. We do not become all wise or all knowing when we follow Christ. In fact, all our defects will come up in our relations with others. Ideally, we work through them together, forgiveness is offered and accepted, and all are transformed in the process. And the cycle continues.

Given.

We have not seen any of the Thanksgiving attendees since that dinner. We don’t know if they supported the insurrection or believe the lies that the election was rigged. My spouse’s aunt doesn’t seem to, but for the rest, we don’t know. I have thought a lot about whether we will all be together again. If so, what will that look like? Will we be able to love them? Will we be able to be able to let ourselves be given again?

B