By Pastor Lynn, Lead Pastor

How does our storytelling in situations of conflict assist in the work of reconciliation?

In situations of conflict, we tell ourselves stories about what is happening. We think about what was said or done, or what we would like to say or do. Sometimes we can’t stop thinking about the stories we are telling ourselves. We also may tell our stories to other people, which, depending on who we talk to, can cause more harm than good.

At OCMC, we value reconciliation as being the work we are engaged in as we follow Jesus. As I read Psalm 3, which is a psalm describing a situation of conflict, I realized there were two stories being told and one of them led to the psalmist experiencing peace. Verses 1-2 tell the first story. “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’” This psalm was written to remember the time when King David’s son, Absalom, rebelled against him and tried to take his throne. It was true that many enemies were rising up against David and saying that God would not deliver him. Verses 1 and 2 are describing what was really happening.

The second story is told in verses 3-5. “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the one who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.” This story is also true. David has experienced throughout his life that God has been his shield, the One who lifts him up, the One who answers when he calls, the One who sustains his life. It looks like this story can’t be true if the first story is also true. But as is the case in many conflicts, both stories are true. The question is, which story will direct our actions?

David chooses to act based on the second story, not the first. He chooses to live from, and base his actions on, what is true about God, not what is true about his enemies. And so, in verses 6-7 he acts saying, “I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.” What he asks is that his enemies no longer be able to speak against God, saying that God would not deliver him. He asks for deliverance so that the story his enemies are telling will be shown as a lie.

The psalm ends by saying “From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.” Part of the work of reconciliation is to examine the stories we are telling ourselves. What are they saying about God? If we aren’t telling ourselves any stories about God, why not? What do we know to be true about God? How does that inform how we tell our stories? And then, how will we live, act, speak in light of what we know to be true about God? The blessing comes when we tell our stories in light of who Jesus is and what He has done, and then choose to act based on the truth we know about Jesus.