You shall be like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called repairers of the breach. ~Isaiah 58:11-12
This verse has been calling to me. I’m so worn down by the vocabulary of judgment and division, no matter which side it comes from. See? There is another word of division – “side.”
A Course in Miracles teaches that when we see ourselves as separated from anyone, for whatever reason, by whatever means, we are separated from God (or the divine or whatever word is meaningful to you). There is no exception to this, and it is true at all levels – in our families, our communities, our nations.
If a breach appears, it doesn’t matter where it is, where it came from, or whose fault it is. We have one function, one role, one task. It couldn’t be more simple or more clear. We are to remember.
That remembering might assume different forms. It might be the child who gives her dinner to a homeless person. Or non-Muslim people vowing to register as Muslims (if a registry is ever created). Or high school students walking out of class to claim the innocence and hope and power of youth. Or a worship service welcoming people of all faiths. Or bystanders stepping up to support and protect a person being targeted. Or protesters and police hugging each other. Or neighbors talking and listening to each other over coffee or tea, regardless of who voted for whom.
Or the Jewish rabbi who responded to hateful threats from a Klan leader by offering to give him a ride to the grocery store. (This is a great story. Click here to read about it.) Too often our response is “But they...,” or “I can’t accept....” This rabbi understood that he didn’t have to get the Klan leader to see the light, nor did he have to agree with the hate, in order to offer compassion.
So what is it, exactly, that we are remembering? We are remembering, as Stephen Covey said, that the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. The main thing might go by different words, but we all know what it is. And while it might be expressed in infinite ways, it is never found out there, but always within.
May I remember today and all days to be a repairer of the breach.
All the division in our society has taken a toll on me, too, Galen. This verse and post certainly went a long way to lifting my spirits and inspiring me to reach out to others in love.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I'm so glad, Martha. Sometimes I feel like I have been taking something toxic into my spirit. Now I'm trying to reverse the process. I appreciate your comment.
DeleteThis is a comment from Polly, who, along with several others, is having some difficulty posting. (Apologies to Polly and anyone else who is having problems with disappearing comments. If you like, email it to me and I'll post it for you until the problem is fixed.)
ReplyDelete"I am not familiar with Isaiah 58:11-12 but I have jotted it down and think it would be a good verse to commit to memory. If I "sit" with the verse and memorize Isaiah 58:11-12, hopefully it will readily come to mind when I catch myself being that voice of division. Love the phrase "repairer of the breach" ---thank you for this post and I'm sharing the link with several others."
Thanks, Polly, for your comment and your persistence. I would hate to have missed your lovely comment!
DeleteAnother blogger friend who uses blogspot is having similar problems, so it's not just my blog. Hopefully this will all get sorted out soon.
Of course you are spot on again. Part of the reason we are so divided is that we have forgotten we don't have to be always right, and we aren't always gonna change the other guy's mind.
ReplyDeleteThanks, CW. And you bring up an important aspect of division--the need to be right and to make the other person see that you're right. One of my favorite quotes is "The world is divided into people who think they are right...."
DeleteOh, I did like this one! Indeed, it does have a lot to do with compassion, kindness and doing acts of service.. I like your thoughts from Stephen Covey; one of my favorite authors. Thanks for your comments on my post on service.
ReplyDeleteI like the term Repairers of the Breach. Hugs~
Thanks, LeAnn. Someone once said, "If you need help, help someone." I have certainly found that to be true.
Deleteahhh the message i didn't want to hear :) what do we need to do to create divisions, prolong fights and maintain conflict? that feels good, Galen haha and easier. and by this I mean, I really needed to hear this. Thank you for your words of wisdom as always.
ReplyDeleteIt's something we ALL need to hear, Vishnu. Me included. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you will be literally stopping by to visit sometime soon!
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