When we are free from the need to judge or condemn, we can become safe places for people to meet in vulnerability and take down the walls that separate them. Being deeply rooted in the love of God, we cannot help but invite people to love one another. When people realise that we have no hidden agendas or unspoken intentions, that we are not trying to gain any profit for ourselves, and that our only desire is for peace and reconciliation, they may find the inner freedom and courage to leave their guns at the door and enter into conversation with their enemies.
Many times this happens even without our planning. Our ministry of reconciliation most often takes place when we ourselves are least aware of it. Our simple, nonjudgmental presence does it.
Henri Nouwen
2 comments:
I long for this for myself, too.
it is a rare thing to find a gunless person, and sadly, the ones bearing the biggest guns are often the ones who supposedly 'love' us as family
i experienced a gunless person once
and i scrambled to dig for what their agenda or intention was
until exhausted i realised there was none
it was a sacred moment
Post a Comment