Someone wrote that we often don’t know what we don’t see or cannot see because of our own personal blind spots. Our blind spots may come from our ideas of what’s right and what’s wrong leading to the inability to hear another’s perspective. Our blind spots can also lead to shutting ourselves off from certain people and their views.
Our blind spots have both a political and religious impact as well. Shutting ourselves off from others and the opinions we don’t agree with can result in avoiding conflict, which most of us want to do. Conflict with others usually has unpleasant physical effects, such as a quickening heart rate or an empty feeling in the pit of our stomachs.
True, some people thrive on conflict, using it as a way to increase their visibility or power. But most of us would rather just scroll down to the next story or avoid talking to people who challenge our worldview. Scripture challenges the blind spots we create for ourselves, but moving beyond our religious blind spots is really important.
Prayer for the Day
We ask you, O God, to open our minds and hearts,
But not so much that we change how we live;
So much with us is the world that often we are tired,
Resulting in shutting ourselves off from others.
Be with us, O Lord, as we struggle to respond to your Word,
Giving us strength to encounter others.
In the name of the One who is our strength,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The Greek word for "return" is nostos. Algos means "suffering." So nostalgia is the suffering caused by an unappeased yearning to return.
Milan Kundera, Czech writer, from Ignorance (1929-2003)
Unless one lives and loves in the trenches, it is difficult to remember that the war against dehumanization is ceaseless.
Audre Lorde, poet, activist (1934-1992)
Give ear to my prayer, O God, do not hide yourself from my supplication.
Attend to me and answer me; I am troubled in my complaint.
I am distraught by the noise of the enemy, because of the clamor of the wicked.
For they bring trouble upon me, and in anger they cherish enmity against me.
Psalm 55: 1-3