I Like vs I Don't Like

Most of us would honestly affirm that there are some things we like and other things that we don't like. Have you ever wondered which list is longer for you personally? Have you ever noticed whether your lists are comprised mainly of inanimate objects or people. When George H. W. Bush was President of the United States, he gained a great deal of media attention when he announced, "I do not like broccoli, and I haven't liked it since I was a kid and my mother made me eat it."

I know that I am a picky eater and could make a long list of foods I don't like. I could also make a fairly lengthy list of those foods that i do like. But stating what foods we like, and dislike, is not likely to get us into a serious debate or cause us to lose any friends.

However, when we begin to list behaviors, values, beliefs, and practices that we like or dislike, debates, arguments, and even fights can result. If we begin to include personalities on the list, the disagreements are greatly exacerbated. Include views on politics or religion and disagreements become explosive. But does it have to be that way?

A great deal has been written about Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States from1981-1989, and Tip O'Neill, Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1977-1987. While Reagan was a Republican and O'Neill was a Democrat, they developed a trust and friendship that enabled them to work across party lines to find the best solutions for the nation. When Reagan was in the hospital following an assassination attempt, O'Neill was one of the first people allowed to visit Reagan in his room. O'Neill knelt beside Reagan's bed and prayed for him. Understanding, trust, and friendship allows people to work together while holding differing positions and opinions.

While I was serving as the Executive Director of a Baptist Association of Churches in Texas, we planned an event at one of our largest churches and were bringing in a guest speaker. A few weeks before the event, the guest speaker released his latest book in which he took a position that was totally opposite from the position of the pastor of the event church. I called the church's pastor to make him aware of the situation and to see if we needed to relocate the event to another church. The pastor immediately told me that there was no problem because he and the guest speaker were good friends. I breathed a sigh of relief and began to wonder how many people that argue in the media also go play golf together and go out to eat together.

In the Bible, Jonathan and David were best of friends, but Jonathan's father, King Saul, wanted to kill David. Peter and Paul are two of the best-known followers of Jesus in the New Testament, but Paul confronted Peter about a certain action of Peter. However, they both continued to carry out the mission that had been entrusted to them. It makes me wonder why churches split over whether the new carpet will be red, blue, or earthtone.

In case you are wondering if I like broccoli, I do if it is fixed correctly (meaning how I like it). I like it steamed so that it is hot and still bright green. Wilted, limp broccoli or broccoli covered in cheese, I will gladly pass and let someone else have it. My wife puts ketchup on her hamburger, but I only want mustard. We have been married almost 58 years and still eat hamburgers together.

Granted, there are some issues that people will probably never agree upon. I could list several issues, but I don't want to start a debate or explosive argument in this article. What I do want us to consider is that many of the issues we face in personal relationships and in national and international relationships might have solutions if we would only trust each other enough to work together for a genuine, workable solution. That probably won't happen if we all insist on having our own way. The potential solutions rest in allowing God to change our hearts and our attitudes in a way that allows Him to work through both you and me and all the other people in this world.

So, this week - what do you like and what do you not like? How can we work together to make a positive difference in our own lives and in our world?