Dale Cresap's blog

Have you ever done something with a sense of urgency you could not explain, or changed your routine way of doing things without being able to explain why? Have you found out later that these changes or timely completion of tasks was favorable for you? Yet you didn’t know at the time why this was so. I promised that my children would be led by the Spirit. The promise is not that you will understand in the moment that this is what is happening. This actually enables you to receive this process and take part in it with greater grace and humility.

How do you regard the poor? The Bible says that they are rich in faith, and I had a special preference for  them. Yet there is a tendency for everyone to seek out and associate with those of their own economic standing. For this reason, the poor are an abstraction for those who are not, even those who would assist them. Do you give to the poor? How many of them do you know personally? Do you think it is better to aid them by giving to support organizations or by giving to them directly?

What comes to mind when you think about safety? Avoiding collision and fire? Those things can be deadly, but the functional experience of safety includes much more. What about safety in social situations? Are you reluctant to speak up around unfamiliar people until you assess the situation to find out what topics are safe and which are not? Is the risk of rejection or ridicule or embarrassment a valid concern? People live their lives in the consideration of these questions. You wear your seat belt to improve vehicle safety. If you love others you will be a safe person to be around.

How do you view your enemies? Do you see them as monolithic, fitting a rigid profile? Can the churches or other groups that you associate with be described the same way? As an insider in these groups you know this is not accurate, and even within churches of a common belief there is considerable diversity. Can you do the math in your head and realize that the same is true of others? People do not reduce to a single dimension, even those you do not agree with. Honor the humanity of everyone as a unique creation.

How do you build community? For this is an essential need for the life of every person. Who can survive alone? The quickest way is to identify a common enemy. But things that are built quickly tend to be of low quality and this is true in this case. Hatred of a common foe creates a false intimacy and a toxic environment. It eventually poisons a community founded on it. What is the alternative? Communities of love take longer to build. It takes patience and commitment to build a foundation of trust, but take the time and put in the effort. These communities are built to last.

Do you find people with whom you have differences? This is inevitable and you should expect it, and not regard it as a bad thing. Do you regard people with whom you do not agree as your enemies? It does not have to be this way. How many people are you commanded to love? If this includes everyone then it would extend to those of different opinions. You may be fiercely committed to your own opinions as they are to theirs. Let your fierce commitment to love be even greater. This will enable you to go beyond just living in peace and toleration with those you have differences with.

Do you think that you should get credit for your good works? Do you think you should get more credit for things you do not enjoy? Is this an essential aspect of sacrifice? There have been martyrs of the faith but these were not positions applied for. The term martyr complex is not considered a compliment. Somehow those so afflicted find a way to let you know how miserable they are in serving me. For extra credit? My word warns against grim and dour expressions of faith practices. Do you understand that I love a cheerful giver? This concept applies to more than just money.

Do you regard other people in terms of how similar they are to you, or how different? You can make both cases from the Bible. You are a peculiar people called to come out from among them and be separate. Yet at the same time you are created by the same God in his image and bear his likeness. This gives you a common humanity. Both concepts are true and useful, but which is stronger? Consider my own life and practice. Didn’t I reach out to include those who were rejected and outsiders? My acceptance of those outside my own tradition was a radical departure and shocking to my culture.

Have you ever met people who are easily offended? Do you find them to be unpleasant company and avoid them when you can, because you have to walk on eggshells when you are around them? What do you think of me? Do you think I am easily offended? Have you found that this is the default opinion people have of me, knowing me only through a list of commandments? If this is the extent of their understanding of me is this impression surprising? Do you know me as a source of grace as well as of commandments? As you get to know me better, do you see me as more or less easily offended?

Are you aware of your advantages? Do you have an even greater awareness of the advantages of others? Do you take your own blessings in stride as your due and wish you had the blessings of others as well? Perhaps they wish they had yours, and see you as privileged in comparison to themselves. Can you have peace if you don’t have contentment? Those who are aware of their own blessings without being envious of the blessings of others are in a position to be grateful. Do you understand the value of this? Is it more important to get more stuff or to be thankful for what you have?