November 24, 2021 – Click here to listen
So yesterday I had some visitors whom I knew only through Words for the Day communications that have spanned some ten years. This couple is from California and were vacationing in Key West and wanted to come by and say hello and put faces with names. They are nice folks, and we enjoyed their brief visit.
They were discussing one of their children who is in a rebellious argumentative stage and is convinced his is the only viewpoint that is correct. He is very vocal to anyone who opposes him. He is refusing to come to their Thanksgiving celebration and even Christmas because he is intolerant of the views of others and loudly makes that known to them. They mused about whether his absence was a particularly bad thing since he seems to like to rain on the parade and spoil things for the rest of the family.
Yesterday afternoon my Bible study partner mentioned being in similar straits with one of his siblings. This person seems to take delight in belittling him and telling him pretty much everything he is doing is wrong. He was concerned about keeping his cool at the Thanksgiving feast, something he has not always done well in the past. His innate response is to strike back, only harder, and like me is known to have issues with his unruly temper.
I offered some sage advice in that regard and told him, “Have a great time with your family and let the venom dribble harmlessly to the floor as his nemesis is sure to slobber and spew their misery at every opportunity.” I told him, “Don’t rise to the bait, just walk away from it my friend, not drinking too much wine will help in that regard.”
I ended my advice by asking him to remember too that the day is dedicated to thanksgiving to God for all His blessings of which we have each received more than our share. Why? I don’t know, but we should offer praise and thanksgiving and not fight with relatives.
Families and friends have different viewpoints in life and Thanksgiving provides great practice for tolerance for others. I’m not advocating agreeing with them, but no sense in being militant about things and perhaps throwing a glass of iced tea in their faces simply because they believe Biden is a good President. LOL
Religious debates around the dinner table are another matter. I have found that “debatable biblical issues”, those for which there is room for speculation because the Bible doesn’t give definitive or enough information, can be interesting, however, are mostly a waste of time and don’t accomplish much of anything aside from making some of the intolerant angry.
Catholics, Buddhists, Hindus, Wiccans, Mormons, and an assortment of other religions have their own definitions of achieving everlasting life with our Father in heaven. Should we be tolerant of these points of view?
We often ask, what would Jesus do?
Why, He would clearly be intolerant.
How can I say that?
Listen as Jesus tells us loud and clear in His own words:
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.