Yesterday I wrote a post titled "Why I will not be voting for Donald Trump".
I hesitated in writing it. I even reworded it several times to soften it up, but I still ended up squirming with regret this morning, because I neglected my own values in posting it.
You see, I have recently internalized the belief that the method by which goodness triumphs over evil, is by being so good that the evil cannot survive. Goodness wins by lifting, goodness doesn't win by tearing down. But that's how evil fights; by tearing down or attacking the other side, and it can be really difficult not to mirror that same sharpness in retaliation.
Although I hold that belief, it's been difficult for me to have a clear vision of what it looks like in practice, and how to reconcile it with the need to declare truth even when it is unpopular. I was trying to abide by these beliefs yesterday when I wrote my post, and I convinced myself that I was being bold and saying important things that people needed to hear, and therefore was "lifting".
So what did I miss? What should I have done differently? Let me share with you what I learned today!
All I did was say what I think is bad about Trump, and give my "what not to do" opinion, I said nothing which would invite and entice someone to do good.
If I actually wanted to change minds or hearts, I should have spoken with love, patience, and persuasion.
I should have used words to lift and inspire rather than wound or demean.
I should done a better job of talking about principles rather than about personalities.
I should have listened and shown concern for the sincere beliefs of others.
Just within the last 24 hours, two friends of mine who tend to do this well posted on social media, and what they posted caused me to reflect on my own example. They shared goodness that prompted personal reflection on my own room for improvement. I realized that I was speaking divisively, and leaving no room for understanding the opinion or position of those who disagreed with me. I wasn't offering any real alternatives, no where to move forward to; I was saying what not to do without pointing in any better directions.
So this is my repentance post! And I love that I now have a better blueprint for the things I want to say or share in the future.
Labels: Faith, Politics