September-Charcoal drawing-Another's point of view
"I'll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common." 1Cor. 1:10MSG
"The GOAL is for all of them to become one heart and mind--Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.....Then they'll mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you've sent me and loved them in the same way you've loved me." John 17:21,23 MSG
In all of this hate, shouting and not listening to one another, have we lost sight of the goal?
Isn't our individual goals to grow and mature to be more like Christ, more love, more compassion, more peace? And then, isn't our common goal of loving one another, the way to show the world who God is and how much He loves each of us in all the world?
This was the premise for the exercise of charcoal drawing. Seeing a still life from one view point, and then switching sides and then seeing and drawing it from another viewpoint.
If everyone's perspective is the same, how can we learn from one another?
How do our drawings look different? If we only surround ourselves with people who look like us, or who think like us, how can we truly grow to learn a different perspective than our own?
Do we truly listen to one another and hear the background and the history of where they come from, or are we just waiting to have ourselves be heard?
What does your people group or tribe look like? We attract those who become our tribe or are attracted to our tribe. How can you intentionally notice someone different and get to know them? How can you intentionally go outside of your comfortable people?
This exercise started with a dark background and lifted the charcoal from the paper to bring out the light. How are we lights in a dark world? How can we listen and affirm another? How does listening to another's view, if it is not our own, help them feel heard? How does asking questions so that we understand another's point of view, help them feel heard? Misunderstandings are often the point of conflict. Misunderstandings are not lies. Beware of the first "clarity" or understanding. As in art, conversations are in layers of understanding, needing to get to other layers by questions and listening to the answers. Often in our conversations, we come with brokeness that we project onto another. We need to remember that often wounds are deeper than convictions. There is much that we do not know on both sides. How would these thoughts shape your next conversation?
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18MSG
"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19 MSG
"I did not come to teach you I came to love you. Love will teach you."
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