“Excuse me,” she said. “Do you have a couple minutes to talk about human rights?”
She was standing there on the sidewalk in downtown Chicago, and I walked by at my brisk heart-healthy pace expressing a “no thank you.”
Then I looked at my watch and noticed I really DID have the time. So I walked back and talked to her.
The girl was in her early twenties and cradled a clipboard in her arms. Unseasonably chilly wind blew our hair as she attempted to gain my sympathy for a bill in support of human rights. Turns out, it was about extending legal rights for homosexuals.
She was polite…reasonable…not edgy. And I was determined I was NOT going to be a fist-clenching angry evangelical. Yet clearly we stood on opposite shores, an ocean of moral truth churning between us.
I gently unfolded my opposition to the expansion of any rights for people who choose to engage in homosexual activity. As I did so, I was conscious of a desire to be kind to her. Admittedly, I also struggled to succinctly define my position.
We continued to talk. Continued to disagree. But continued to be civil.
When the conversation kind of paused…and I knew I really did need to move on in order to make my train, I said to the girl, “You know what—you've been very gracious. I want you to know you're an excellent representative of your organization. Really.” She beamed and said something kind in return.
Two Scripture passages come to mind.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].
Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bone-like resistance.
On that windy June day, there were probably no ideological battles won. No hearts convinced. But I trust Jesus was honored by my feeble attempts. And gently hope that on an unseasonably chilly afternoon…an uncommon warmth marked the conversation of two who agreed to disagree.