by Grace Moody, ’14
A puzzled look crossed my face as I looked to my friend for an explanation. We were having a conversation about one of the most controversial topics out there: Christianity. While being a so-called Christian has been a part of my identity basically since I could walk, it was odd to me when she asked questions that seemed like common sense to me.
I understood that she didn’t have the same beliefs as me, however it was difficult for me to remember a time when I was on the other side. Although still figuring out my beliefs about various religious subjects, I know the foundation of my beliefs comes down to knowing that Jesus humbled himself to the point of death so we could live.
After having this conversation, I came to the realization that sometimes I forget what it is like on the other side. What is it like for someone who hasn’t grown up a Christian, like myself? I realized that we are all probably at one point or another guilty of forgetting what it is like on the other side. This could be a professional athlete who forgets what it is like to be on the grade school T-ball team. A married couple may forget what it is like to be single. A successful band may forget what it is like to be scraping by playing in friend’s garages. And, in my case, a Christian churchgoer may forget what it is like to not know Jesus.
Considering Christians are called to love others, I think it is only fair that Christians try hard to empathize with other non-Christians in regards to their beliefs. Simply put: Jesus went to the other side, so why shouldn’t we as well? He fully crossed the line of holy perfection to walk as a human with the same temptations and worldly struggles that we face today. In the same way, I think Christians need to finish Jesus’ work by crossing the line and loving others on the other side. Much like the central savior of the Christian religion, Christians need to immerse themselves in the lives of those who haven’t yet heard about God’s love.
In the same way, with any beliefs or opinions of others, the only way to show respect of other’s beliefs is by trying hard to look from a different perspective. So I say to my fellow Christians: cross the line. See it from the other side. Allow your beliefs to be challenged. Many times we can be blinded by what we consider to be truth, but without being challenged, we may never understand the other side.