Let There Not Be Division Among Us

As we approached the spring time elections this year, I was so very hopeful we could avoid the ugliness and division that we all witnessed last year between the city council race with Brian Hutcheson vs Gary Ward. Both camps felt like there were wrong done to them--and there probably was. However, the mail piece titled "The Mesquite Times" that accused Gary Ward of vile and awful things was probably the lowest point of Mesquite politics that I have ever witnessed. There are indeed today, a number of Mesquite citizens who did not vote for Gary, who nonetheless condemned that publication. Gary Ward has made his share of mistakes and through years of politics, has made his share of enemies. But the combat vet from Vietnam and the 37 year Fire Fighter who rescued many Mesquite families over the years did not deserve such a terrible thing done to his good name. I am proud to say--that while he is not serving on the city council--I can report that Gary Ward is still serving Mesquite well along with his sweet wife Nadine and they daily work and make a difference for Mesquite.

Deep divisions were made in that campaign. However, there are always two sides to a battle and Brian Hutcheson has expressed that he felt like there were unfair things done and said about him. Hutcheson has also said that he was not involved with the publication that smeared Mr. Ward and that he would never operate a campaign that way. I nonetheless did express my hurt to Mr. Hutcheson last year that a handful who did support him took the route they did against Gary Ward. And then it was time to put the past behind us. I have appreciated the rapport I've had with Mr. Hutcheson since he took office and we've worked together on a few projects for the betterment of our city. When the election is over, I judge elected officials by what they do or don't do from there on out while they are in office. Some have criticized me for reaching out to people who were once combatants in a campaign. I respect all differeing views, but I also believe the governing and bettering of my city has to always come before my personal feelings or politics! Once the campaigns are over, we must roll up our sleeves and work together and seek common ground. President Lincoln often worked with men who had criticized him terribly and made fun of him. Yet, he recognized that the such men were still needed to keep the Republic together and was able to put his personal feelings aside. We can all take humility notes from Mr. Lincoln. Its not about how any of us feel--its about doing what is good and right and making a difference. Its about loving our neighbor and honoring God by doing good.

Then we had a state rep race last year, where there was again much ugliness between both camps and many bruised feelings and more division created.

All that division from last year, while it slowed some perhaps during the holidays and in January--its been creeping back up and getting nasty again. Let me say--that there are many good people on both opposing sides of city council races that are passionate and strongly believe in their candidates. THATS OK!!! THATS A GOOD THING!!! But there are a few individuals out there, who seek to not just get their message out and their views heard. There are some out there who seek to be "Fire Eaters" as they were called back during the 8-10 years prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. There are some in our city, who seek to go beyond healthy debate and disagreement. There are some who by harsh statements, e-mails, phony letters, accusations, and just sometimes a hateful demeanor--who seem to literally want to cause great division and hate among our citizens! They don't seem to care who gets hurt. The ends justify the means with such people--and I believe it is really but a few people. WE WHO LOVE JESUS CHRIST AND WHO LOVE OUR CITY--MUST NOT STAND BY AND IGNORE SUCH EFFORTS TO HURT OUR BELOVED CITY! Especially when harshness and mean spiritedness is done in the name of Jesus Christ! Too many unbelievers over the years, have been turned away even more when they see those of us who claim to follow Christ--acting the opposite of Christ! Its one thing if non-Christians do such things--the Apostle Paul tells us we cannot hold non-Christians to the same standards as Christians. But those of us in Christ, are called to be loving, kind, gentle, and forgiving. Jesus said if someone asks us to walk one mile--that we should walk with them two miles.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1, that we are to find ways to agree with one another so that there may be no divisions between us and that we may be perfectly united in mind and thought. Now I don't believe that literally means we have to agree on every issue. But it does mean there should be lines we don't cross when we disagree because of the love of Jesus that is supposed to be among Christian brothers and sisters! Paul later tells us in the Ephesian letter--that we ought to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ! That is a tall order for many of us who are passionate about what we believe in--especially when political matters are involved--but we are no less called to still uphold such a standard! WE CANNOT SAY WE FOLLOW CHRIST IF WE CANNOT FIND BETTER WAYS TO LOVE AND SERVE ONE ANOTHER AND NOT LET OUR DISAGREEMENTS GIVE SATAN A FOOTHOLD TO DESTROY ALL THE GOOD THAT COULD BE DONE IN THE NAME OF JESUS IN MESQUITE, TEXAS!

And LET THERE BE NO BLAME CAST IN ANY ONE DIRECTION! WE ALL CAN SHARE SOME OF THE BLAME FOR SOME OF OUR LOCAL DIVISION--ME INCLUDED!!! If any of us were not directly involved in ugliness--we should have been standing up and speaking out against it. And as we seek to learn to better work with those we disagree with--let us distance ourselves from those who cannot find a kind word to say about those they disagree with--let us make clear to those who would take healthy disagreements on local issues--and seek to be mean and harsh--that we will not associate with such people! MESQUITE DOES NOT NEED FIRE EATERS OR FLAME THROWERS!!!

If we could find ways to sit down and really listen to one another and empathize with each other--really get to know each other--who knows how many common bonds we might discover that exist between us. When I listen to active players in this year's local elections--all I hear is how the other side has "made me mad" or done this or done that. When often most involved don't really even know each other! We are a better people than that!

Therefore, after this election--I am going to be calling for a "Mesquite Peace Summit" to be held some time this summer. We will invite various individuals who were active participants in local political campaigns over the last few years--from various sides of those campaigns--to sit down at the table of brotherhood and just start a dialogue. A dialogue about where our real disagreements are and where we can find common ground. A dialogue about what things of the past have offended or angered us--and see if some discussions of forgiveness can take place. God is always pleased when divisions between His children can be healed and we learn to really love one another. Jesus tells us in Matthew 22, that loving God and loving our neighbor--thus LOVE--is paramount over all the other prophets and commands! LOVE! 1 John 4 tells us that the way we show our love for the Father--is by how we love each other! We in Mesquite--who call ourselves Christians--who are involved in the community--who say we want good things for our children's futures and for our city--NEED TO LEARN TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER BETTER!

Our city faces serious problems and challenges! We have parts of our city where chiildren live in poverty and grow up around horrible ugliness and crime. We have serious city and school district budget challenges. We have businesses closing up here and there. Yes, we have many wonderful things going for us--but like the rest of America--we are feeling the tough times. THERE IS NO GREATER TIME OR NEED FOR OUR CITIZENRY TO COME TOGETHER AND BE UNITED! When Nehemiah and God's people were rebuilding Jerusalem--they all rolled up their sleeves to rebuild the walls. They worked side by side. Those who were not working on the walls and gates--were protecting the others from the enemy who wanted to destroy those efforts. Let us in Mesquite--roll up our sleeves and come together and rebuild our broken walls. We are a good people. With God's help, we can accomplish this and much bigger things!

Grace and Peace,

Bruce Archer