Caring About People

I have two friends from long ago who are in an industry that is fading away. One is diametrically opposed to me in their politics. The other in their desire to engage problems.

I still care for them as people while I imagine their jobs being whittled away by the competition. What must that be doing to their outlook? Their self worth? Their future?

If we got to talking about the president we would be arguing deep into the night. Or just shutting down the conversation and the appointment. But my mind still drifts back to their life situation and I care about them.

Like I care about my kids and how they come out.

Like I care about my crusty former manager with the mean streak.

Like I care about the different people who have touched my life one way or another.

I believe God put those people in my life for a reason, and that he wanted me to see them as people, like he sees them. How Jesus, in essence same as the Father yet sharing life intimately with us, could take the hits and bruises of life without learning to hate is truly God-like. His words demonstrate the ability to separate the politics from the person: "forgive them, for they know not what they do."

This is an odd spot to be in, for hatred seems to be the emotion of the day. Hate is the emotional equivalent of trying to wall someone/thing out and away so you don't have to deal with it. It does not mean that you need to submit to someone who wants to hurt you. But hate is a cheap shortcut to understanding. The problem with hate comes at the point when you are totally walled in by your hatred. There is no way out. Hate consumes every vision of life.

Jesus knew that people wanted him dead. Jesus also knew he wasn't done with people. So instead of hate he taught, loved, modeled and encouraged everyone. Jesus was never walled in by hate.

My friends may think I'm a little wacko, but I still care for them as people, friends, those who God wanted in my life. Politics, local activism, past life experiences all fade as I remember my friends as Jesus would. People worth dying for.