I had a different idea in mind for this week’s post, but then I read something that caused me to pause and think about the important things in life. The truly important things.
If I were to ask many people what’s most important in life, their answers would probably include things like family, good health, happiness, financial or job security, and a safe place to live. Depending on their circumstances, they might even say enough to eat or clean drinking water. These are, after all, very important. In fact, it was some of these things that first came to mind when I started asking myself what’s most important in life, but then I thought of something else.
When Jesus was asked which commandment was most important, He replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'”
My faith, my personal relationship with God, is the most important thing in my life because it’s the only thing of eternal value, but it was actually Christ’s second statement that I was thinking about when I sat down to write this post. “Love your neighbour as yourself.” The Bible actually has a lot to say about how we treat one another. In fact, the “golden rule” that we were taught as children actually comes directly out of Scripture. Luke 6:31 says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
So why have I been thinking about the importance of how we treat one another? In Canada and the US, at least, and perhaps other parts of the world as well, we have become very polarized people. We are sharply divided along political lines. No sooner had Canadians drawn together in response to threats from our southern neighbour than our own federal election tore us apart again. As I feared would happen, we went from “elbows up” unity to attacking one another for our political views. Nowhere was worse than on social media where people tend to say things they wouldn’t say in person.
Politics is important, but is it the most important thing? Is it worth losing friendships over? Surely each of us is entitled to have our own opinion and to express it without condemnation. Can’t we disagree, but still treat one another with respect or must we vilify those who don’t see eye to eye with us? After all, while we might not agree on which party is the right one to govern or which leader is the most competent, we all want the same things. We all want what’s best for our country, our families, and ourselves.
Perhaps the most important things in life aren’t things at all. Perhaps our character, who we are and how we treat others, is much more important.
Following Augustine 
You are so correct Elaine, the most important things in life are not “things” You will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. We all spend so much time accumulating so much “stuff” just to start giving it away as we age. You will go out of this world the same way you came in, with only what God has given you, your soul. Even the earthly body is not going with you, it is just a vessel we are allowed to use while we are here. This world is very unsettled right now and I do pray we can all start working together again reguardless of what our political views are and stop cutting eachother to pieces if we don’t agree. As you said, we have the right to agree to disagree but still be friends. Heres hoping for a better tomorrow.
Everything you have said is so true, Verna! Thank you!
Well said. Such an issue – vilifying those we don’t agree with and also caricaturing the other. We need to spend more time listening and also considering where we ourselves may be wrong and the other may have a point worth considering. Thanks for your writing. – Jeannine
You make a good point, Jeannine. Being willing to truly listen to one another would make such a difference.
How refreshing! It gives me hope that we can be good neighbours to each other again. Perhaps we will all grow weary of this rhetoric and using such hateful language and can be open-minded as we listen and discuss together. That would be such a gift.
Thanks, Elaine
I do hope so, Laura!
Your post really hits home with me. I’ll preface this by mentioning that I live in the US. The most troubling thing for me, and the thing I’ve struggled with most over these past months is how to love those who support an administration that is cruel and uncaring, especially toward the most vulnerable among us. The differences go beyond politics. My anger has dissipated but I now feel sad and disappointed toward friends and family who think the actions of this administration are perfectly okay. Will I be able to rebuild these relationships? Do I want to? This is what I pray on daily.
I feel your sadness, Beth. I really don’t understand how anyone can continue to support that evil administration. We are definitely living in dark days.