What I Learned at Christ at the Checkpoint

Michael Brown: "But I do not want to end here on the negative. At an opening dinner for the speakers, we were given a minute to introduce ourselves. I explained that I’d been invited as a dissenting voice and that I came with an open heart, an open mind, and an open mouth.

Hopefully, I spoke what was appropriate, truthful and fair. That’s for others to judge. But I do know that I listened carefully, praying often for God to show me my blind spots and help me to better understand. I also urged those I spoke with, especially the young Palestinians, to speak to me plainly without fear of offending me.

God is my witness that I have not dismissed their concerns.

Speaking in human terms, the situation is nearly hopeless. The good news is that what is impossible with man is possible with God.

To be sure, I learned nothing really new. I am familiar with the many complaints that come regularly against Israel. In fact, Israel’s harshest, most vociferous critics are often Israelis themselves.

But it’s always powerful to look into someone’s eyes and hear their own words as they talk about what they’ve experienced in their lives. (Some of their stories were tragic and quite moving.)

Anything is Possible With God

Naturally, with any situation, there are two sides to the story. In this case the Israeli side and the Palestinian side. I never assume that Israel is guiltless. I’m sure there are many things my people can do better — in some cases much better.

So, while I will continue to challenge my new Palestinian Christian friends on several fronts — theological and practical and political — I will do my best to challenge the leadership of Israel to treat their Palestinian neighbors with dignity, equality and respect. And that applies especially to Palestinian Christians, a tiny minority within a Muslim majority that itself has limited autonomy.

Speaking in human terms, the situation is nearly hopeless. The good news is that what is impossible with man is possible with God."   Source: https://stream.org/learned-christ-checkpoint/