Messiness in the Community ~ Mike Tostrud

Staff, March 19, 2021

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  ~Galatians 6:2

With the community challenges we experienced in 2020 this may be the toughest topic to write on. The pandemic has fundamentally altered our communities in the past year. We are not able to live or worship in community as we were before.  When we go into the community, we face restrictions for masks, space, or other safety measures which stamp our new normal. The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others challenged our sense of community and who feels safe when out.  And it was further challenged through political divides which turned violent in our nation’s capital as we turned the corner into 2021.  
Each of these circumstances challenge our personal beliefs and then our communal interaction. It’s a lot to consider how to bridge the health challenges, racial divide, or differences in political affiliation. Communal challenges aren’t unique to us. Jews and Gentile had different viewpoints; Pharisees and Sadducees had differing opinions; Pilate, a government official, washed his hands sealing Jesus’ fate; a convicted man was freed of his crimes in trade for Jesus’s conviction and crucifixion. These aren’t parallels to our current challenges, but they speak similar tones to our divides amongst individuals, religions, politics, and communities.  
So, where do we go? We turn to a loving, supportive God who adores his children and provides guidelines for community. Love your neighbor; care for the orphaned, widowed, and destitute; know God is with you in moments of persecution or in the valleys. Each theme is found in the bible and offers us context and assurances.
Yet, these are big challenges. I am overwhelmed by them. But I have to believe – I just have to believe – the words of the Bible are true. Answers to community challenges, maybe not in their entirety but certainly to some degree, can be found in it. Community begins with every individual, extends to family, then friends, neighborhood, cities and beyond. But the heart of it for us can be God.  
I hope those who have been unfairly persecuted found God in their final desperate moments. I hope the persecutors find God as well. I hope every individual could set aside personal gain for the betterment of the community. But I fear as I write this someone may be offended. That is so far from my intent. I’ve intentionally attempted to leave my personal feelings out of each powder keg topic. I offer no bias in race, religion, or politics. Only the hope that with these differences – ones that can and maybe ought to remain – that we could value and honor both love and support of one another as much as we do these other freedoms.

Father, we are challenged for answers to the divides and challenges that accompany our communities. And while communal challenges are not unique to our generation, they do have a unique stamp at this time. We pray you will inspire, humble, and provoke us to address these as fairly, diplomatically, and justly as we can – not by our own standards but by yours. Amen.