Who are your friends?
I do not mean names. No. Are the individuals you associate with important to you because they have the same ideas as you do? In order to be your friend, what is the threshold that they must meet in terms of agreement on political issues, religious beliefs, faith, values?
Go to your inbox, your contacts list, your written or digital, and your Facebook "friends." How did you meet each person? What common beliefs, and/or associations did you share that drew you together? Were you colleagues? Did you worship in the same community? Are you related by blood, or marriage? Are you childhood friends? Did you meet in some other way?
I pride myself on being an open-minded person. I avoid identifying anyone as having a simple faith, a simplistic view of the world. I avoid identifying anyone on the basis of their political beliefs. Or, so I thought.
Someone told me that she has different friends for different purposes, or for different reasons. Her friends were objects that she used. Quite to the contrary. My friend acknowledges the diverse gifts of each individual--each friend--who blesses her life.
This week, I was reminded of the trap of the pride I claim. I try to be in constant conversation with internal challenges that whisper for my attention. Yet, clearly I have fallen short.
Humility reintroduced herself to me this week. She did not confront me.
Humility simply tapped me on the shoulder in the form of surprise. I thought I was open to different perspectives in other people, my surprise to the acceptance of my own explorations challenged the integrity of my thoughts.
I am delighted by my surprise. I pray that my surprise may humble me. May humility dispel any distraction prideful expression of openness may cause.
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