As many of you know, my mantra is conversation leads to understanding. Even in the most tense of situations, even in thinking about horrific events that have been and are happening, if we imagined the people involved civilly discussing their issues with each other, the results would be different. People with diverse opinions would be able to hear another way to look at the topic at hand and even if remaining of a different perspective would still have a better understanding of the other person’s point of view. At a minimum there would be respectful treatment. A hope would be love and understanding.

As you know, I belong to a Bible study group that is very diverse. We have Catholic, Protestant, Jehovah’s witness, Greek Orthodox, and Jewish members. It is a safe place to discuss religious differences as we work our way through study of the Bible under great leadership of a woman who has books and notes that are rich with information.

This week, rather than continuing in John, my cousin wanted to discuss a pamphlet she had been given that asserted that one goes to hell if he or she does not believe in Jesus. The hour was rich with discussion and I was so impressed we could have meaningful conversation on this hot topic. We looked at all the Bible passages quoted in the pamphlet and even diverted onto my testimony.

I was actually amazed the others could lovingly understand the pain my cousin felt, be analytical, non judgmental, accepting, for each person’s relationship with God is a lifelong  journey between that individual and our Creator. Those around us are just for support and encouragement as needed by the person, for we know God’s got this.  As my cousin always says, “God is in the room!”.

As I thought back to my own testimony, I remembered a time when I was literally afraid of Christians, and now I have such a deep appreciation for the very group that has kept the truth of Yeshua alive for millennia and continues to do so. Our Bible study conversations have led to deeper understanding by me of this complex relationship.

Just this week I was given a book for my grandchildren by one of our Christian attendees. The title is The Tattooed Torah by Marvell Ginsburg.  It was the first children’s book written about the Holocaust. Through that blessing I learned of the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust which I had never known about before receiving this beautiful gift from my sister in Him. What an especially loving blessing especially as we just experienced Holocaust Remembrance Day last week, an observance she was moved by as well.

Abundantly do we in our Bible study group learn from each other, bless each other, with our Creator in the room! Week after week, I am astounded at the thoughts of just simple people taking an hour from our day to prioritize conversation about God in the Bible and God in our lives.

Some of you are already in Bible study groups and understand the amazing knowledge and blessings that come from these forums and interchanges. We also can be so blessed to have these conversations at other times as well, with family, friends, with our children around the dinner table, over the phone, or while enjoying a cup of coffee with a neighbor. Not only does doing so become an amazingly uplifting part of our days, but it also equips us to be able to face the harsh realities of life that are also part of those days.

When I leave Bible study my spirit is so renewed. In addition to daily individual prayer and Bible study, that deliberate communal study time set aside for God actually powers me throughout the rest of my day, better enabling me to face what lies ahead in my life, in the lives of my loved ones, and in processing the news of the day.

We don’t have control of the craziness, but we do of the choice of people we engage with and the topics of conversation in which we engage. In those choices, I encourage you to stretch our tendencies to seek those just like us, for if you are steadfast in your faith you will be surprised how meaningfully you can listen to others’ truths without dismay.

Rather, it is sometimes in that friction that we grow all the more in our capacity to understand and to love. As we stretch our abilities to be non judgmental and learn from others with love in our hearts, not only will we feel God in the room, we’ll feel His Presence in our hearts. We will know in the deepest sense that it is only through His Grace and guidance that we are able to do it at all.

Shabbat shalom.

Diane