Unity is Not Oppression

Psalm 33:1, 3, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity… For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” (NIV).

I feel confident that these words should be able to stand on their own and yet concerned that they might be misconstrued in the current cultural climate.  Here’s my take, in a world where I have had to back way… way… down on social media involvement over the past week, because I can’t seem to deal with the hate that is being spewed.  My preference is to get out into the community and to do something with and for people who are being oppressed, because that seems to be more beneficial to all involved.

I have not been completely silent (because, of course, silence can insinuate approval and perpetuate cruelty).  You can listen to some of my thoughts regarding racism and bigotry, here, if you really want to, but it might be better to use that time loving on people in the real world… in your real world.  I recognize that my own voice is less effective at the present time than my actions might be.

But, today, I will comment briefly.  Unity is not oppression.  We cannot define unity by propagating the “us and them” mentality and then placing the burden on “them” to become like “us” in order for blessing and peace to fall from heaven!  God is not going to bless this. 

We are not the gatekeepers.  It is time to open our tables and relinquish our platforms to people who are not like us in order to allow their voices to be heard as legitimate, essential, and authentic.  Unity is diversity.

L.