The Enemy?

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Psalms 23:5 NKJV)

We are asked to "take sides" on a number of things these days:  gun control, gay marriage, health care plans, high profile court cases....  The problem is, when we take a side, it automatically makes the other side, "the enemy."

Of course, we should have our opinions and live and vote by them, but that doesn't make those with differing opinions the enemy.  Every issue has different ways of looking at it and so much depends on our own history, environment and even genetic makeup.

I recently read a story of a pastor who ministered seperately to both the family of the victim and the family of the perpetrator in a terrible murder.  A teenager had been part of a gang who murdered an undocumented (illegal) Latino for no other reason than that he was a undocumented Latino.  This pastor took severe critisism from the white community for helping the family of a victim who "shouldn't have been here to begin with."  He made even more enemies for "siding with the killer" for raising money to put in the imprisoned teen's commisary account because the teen expressed a desire for warm socks and a can of Vienna sausages for Christmas.

Is it not possible to live out our believes without "choosing sides" and making enemies of those who are on the other side?  Is it not possible to have compassion for those who have made bad choices?  Doesn't Jesus ask us to find him in others... without first finding where they stand on gun control?  Shouldn't we look for ourselves in others and others in ourselves before we race to judgement?

When we get to that Great Banquet Table, "the other side" will be sitting and eating right next to us!  I'm sure when we are there, we will no long consider each other the enemy, so why not start now, by trying to understand their side... by showing compassion for terrible choices made... and by comforting those hurt by bad choices.

Father,
Give us your very own compassion and understanding as we look at "the enemy" for they are really not our enemies; they are our dear brothers and sisters.  Amen.