COME HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE

Something I have noticed in my doctoral work and describing my work to people is a singular response: “Boy, do we need it.”

Much of my work is based around getting people who are divided by politics, culture, religion, economics, etc. to begin to have conversations again– to return to the table with one another.

My goal is for us to become a community that can rediscover and agree on the essentials of living in community with one another, while understanding how and why we disagree on the nonessentials.

The fact that I have gotten this response from wealthy, poor, republican, democrat, pro-life, pro-choice, coastal, inner continental, northern, southern, God believing, God denying, and more shows me there is a greater desire to love one another again rather than continue to shove a wedge between us.

The main problem is that division is comfortable.

It is comfortable for us to fall deeper into echo chambers.
It is comfortable for us to cut people out of our lives that we disagree with.
It is comfortable to surround ourselves with and only consume media that we agree with.

It is uncomfortable to listen.
It is uncomfortable to say “I am willing to change/be wrong.”
It is uncomfortable to love someone that has been painted as our enemy.

And yet, it is the deepest desire of our hearts.

Come have a seat at the table. It isn’t mine.

There are only two requirements:
(1) Lead with love and
(2) Be ready to get uncomfortable.

We will have to give things up. We will have to take things on.
We will have to show tremendous amounts of grace and understanding.

There is much work to be done. Have a seat. Get your fill. Then get to work.