Parenting Points
Our world is marked by division. We all live in our separate camps based on similar views and values. These spaces become echo chambers where the same ideas circulate, and we can often forget that other people may see the world in totally different ways. We often reject relationships with people who are different than us. If we were to get on a plane and go on an international mission trip, we would not be surprised to experience a culture that didn’t fit well into our boxes and camps. We need to remember that our mission field isn’t just around the world but also every day in every place we go. If we decided to approach other people with the mindset of mission by not expecting people to think like us before we can love or befriend them, imagine how the walls of division could begin to come down. What could it look like for our families to approach people different from us with the mindset of mission?
Remember to Look for God’s Fingerprints. One of the beauties of creation is that God made people all different and in “His image” (Genesis 1:27 ESV). When we interact with people who likely believe differently, we must not forget that they are God’s special creations made in His image.
Listen to Another’s Perspective. By listening to someone else’s perspective, we put ourselves in the position of the learner. We want to learn someone’s story and perspective before trying to align them with our own. James’ words of wisdom help us frame our best approach: “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19b ESV).
Look for Ways to Come Together. There is mercy and grace in common ground. When we seek to find the things that bring us together, we can see space for a relationship to form. Through relationships, we can grow in understanding, love, and compassion for other people. We may even realize that someone doesn’t have to totally agree with us to be our friend or even to follow Jesus faithfully.
One of the distinguishing marks of the early church was their love for one another and the world. What impact could your family have if you value building relationships over being right? As Bob Goff reminds us in his book Love Does: “Most people need love and acceptance a lot more than they need advice.”
-Dr. Ben Birdsong
Missions Minister at Christ Church Birmingham
Writer and Speaker
