Pastor’s Place: Shrinking the space between “Us” and “Them” – Cross Timbers Gazette | Southern Denton County | Flower Mound

By Daniel Hawkins, Senior Pastor, Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church

“How did they end up in our section???”

As I sat there on that early fall day, a lot was acquainted. The agency metal bench, the charged vitality within the air, and the odor of Dr Pepper and popcorn all instructed me that I used to be residence… or at the very least I used to be at Floyd Casey Stadium. Like many different Saturdays in my childhood, I sat with my household on the 40-yard line, able to cheer on our Baylor Bears. 

As I seemed round our part, I noticed a number of inexperienced and gold, however I used to be confused to see white and burnt orange. 

When I requested my dad the query that begins this column, he smiled and defined that they weren’t our enemies. They have been medical doctors, attorneys and native enterprise homeowners. They have been our pals, neighbors and members of our church, merely rooting for a distinct crew.

This second was an early introduction to a common reality: persons are all the time greater than the labels we give them.

As we make our approach towards the Friday evening lights and massive video games, we’ll naturally cheer for our groups. Healthy rivalries may be enjoyable. But our tradition usually turns excess of sports activities into an “us versus them” contest.

Jesus supplied a distinct approach.

In the Sermon on the Mount, he mentioned, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Praying for somebody doesn’t imply agreeing with them or pretending variations don’t matter. Prayers shrink the space between us.

This fall, benefit from the rivalries. Cheer loudly! But don’t let the stadium mentality change into your approach of seeing the world.

The folks on the opposite facet of the aisle, display, or scoreboard are created within the picture of God. Perhaps probably the most countercultural issues we will do is just pray for them.

The Pastor’s Place options columns written by a distinct space church chief every month. Call 940-728-8284 for extra info.