The idea of developing a consensus at any point in time, much less in the chaos of the financial and moral uncertainty we find ourselves in, is frightening. Is there anything we can agree on? What about the risk (fear) of how our agreement will touch long held tenants that I hold close to my heart? How should one deal with the unknown of something greater than what I already know to be true?
I would like to suggest that developing consensus on what we do agree on is important, especially in times of chaos. With consensus present, we can work together using a shared foundation. Using the strength of consensus, we can explore our differences with confidence that we have shared values. Consensus is an ally of Hope and a friend of compassion.
I believe we know the truth of the statement that we are part of God’s family, all of us – worthy and those less so, qualified and those wanting to be, knowing and ignorance. Candidly, I fall into the second qualification on each count! We are a community.
Second, we thirst to know that we belong. Each is a being God created to be in relationship.
Third, we want to be more than what we know we are. Our desires vary widely – from power to riches to knowing that we are loved. We want something more, better for our souls.
The combination of these three can be summarized by the fact that everything positive is based on a shared point of view – to make the world a better place.
When “Peter said, ‘Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They've received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did.’” (Acts 10.46, 47) He was developing a consensus on which to build a better world.
When you and I talk, we can let every conversation, each thought shared, start with a shared view of what we agree on. It is a powerful start. It is also one within our reach in the moment at hand. We are keys.
