I just took a class about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and I’ll be sorting through those ideas and perspective for a long time. Partly, because the class was taught by a Palestinian-Muslim woman and so I’m learning to take what she has told us about her experience as truth and also listen to the perspective and stories of my Israeli-Jewish neighbors (and dear friends) as truth. It’s not that they are calling the other side wrong or untruthful. But there are definitely sides.
In the midst of all of this, I read Mending the Divides: Creating Love in a Conflicted World by Jon Huckins and Jer Swigart. Co-founders of the Global Immersion Project, Huckins and Swigart have devoted their lives and careers to building peace in conflicted areas.
What they’ve learned is that talking and summits are not going to mend the divides of conflict. A radical shift in response the the question, Who is my neighbor? is needed. Or, perhaps it’s not a radical shift. After all, Jesus answered this question through his parable of the Good Samaritan thousands of years ago. It’s a story we’re still learning.
I appreciate the story-driven but practical approach Huckins & Swigart take in Mending the Divides. Each chapter starts with a real-life story, links a Biblical lesson, connects some practical next-steps, and ends with a few questions for reflection. The book is built around four steps to peacemaking: See, Immerse, Contend, and Restore.
As I look for ways to bring peace to this world through my own daily actions, I appreciated the gracious and helpful tone in Mending the Divides. I was reminded that, while international trips are important learning experiences, the real sustaining work of peacemaking happens during school pickup and in our family’s values and actions.
My biggest takeaway, especially in light of walking humbly with God is that peacemaking starts with listening. The more stories I listen to, the more complex a conflict seems. Everyone has a valid point of view and it’s hard to pick a “right side” when you hear stories from all sides. So, I’m listening and learning. I’m remembering that everyone’s experience is true. And, I hope that if more of us stop and form relationships, those divides will be mended.
Have you ever immersed yourself in a global conflict through relationships? How has that changed your perspective? Have you ever intentionally immersed yourself in a local conflict through relationships?
This post is Day 28 of the Write 31 Days Challenge. I’m spending the month of October writing about the Backyard Justice. You can find the entire series over at my Backyard Justice page.
The older I get and the more stories I hear, the more I realize how little I’ve had to overcome in this life. My parents were able to provide for college; my loans for grad school were minimal since I was going into a field that was underrepresented, both in interested workers and in finances. I’ve had opportunities to travel, to learn, to be continually supported in my decisions.
The flight was incredible. We were in a tiny plane and my friend, who once held the title of Navigator of Air Force One turned a blind eye to all of the FAA code violations. But, when we saw Everest through the windows, it was breathtaking.
Sometimes, I feel like I’m playing that game with the girls. We listen to the same song over and over again in the car; Elle always reads Goodnight, Moon or Quiet Time with Cassatt before naptime; I sing Egg Thoughts and Other Frances Songs every night before bed with Bea.