WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

With the world and our country being in the state of upheaval it now is, the question arises, at least in my mind, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? One of the trustees at my church suggests that we must become politically active when human rights are being threatened. This has not been the norm for Unity, even at the time of WWII and the atrocities being carried out by Hitler. All of the political upheaval that is taking place today is equally disturbing at so many levels. Therefore this person has a valid point. Unity handles everything with prayer, focusing on Divine Order, stating “THERE IS ONLY ONE POWER AND ONE PRESENCE IN THE UNIVERSE AND IN MY LIFE, GOD THE GOOD OMNIPOTENT.” As part of Unity we believe there is no separate power of Evil in the world, only people who choose to act with evil intention. Further we believe that the divine spark of God lives in every being, is everywhere present throughout creation. So no matter how an individual presents him/herself to the world, God is still in that person. I hold these tenets to be TRUTH with a capital “T”. 

Still, I have questions. And, since I am questioning, I ask myself what Jesus would do if he were alive today. He was never political in his actions during his leadership of the apostles. In fact, he shunned all political affiliations, refusing to take a public stance on the atrocities being committed by the Roman government. He led powerfully and effectively by example only … the way he showed up in the world and treated everyone alike: “saint” or “sinner”. He was strong and sure in his beliefs, but he always led with LOVE. He did not simply react, but instead acted from the TRUTH at the center of his being. And I believe that is the way that each of us needs to act as well. But, unfortunately, as strongly as I believe this, there are still plenty of moments when I forget.

Acting as Jesus would act is a challenge which comes much closer to home when we consider our actions relevant to our place in society, in our workplace, in our families or in the world at large. It has a huge impact with regard to those we love … family and friends. Recently, with a family member I love dearly I took a strong stand on something that I believe in. In doing so, I hurt someone I loved. That was definitely not my intention. But had I taken a deep breath and continued to act with thought, rather than simply REACT, my pain and that loved one’s pain could have been spared. This situation is still not totally healed, but I pray my loved one knows I meant no harm and knows I want only the very best. I ask her forgiveness for any and all problems that arose due to my questioning her beliefs and her behaviors.

She has as much right to her perspective and her desires as I do to mine. I know there may be no easy answers to some problems that arise. Still I hope that I do better the next time … that I listen more closely, be more empathic, pay more attention to detail, and attempt to understand her point of view. If she happens to read this anytime soon, I hope she will forgive me. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, we forget to treat one another with tenderness and compassion. No, we do not have to agree, we have only to disagree with love and respect. I know for certainty that is what Jesus would do.

Namaste my loved one.