“Most people live, whether physically, intellectually, or morally, in a very restricted circle of their potential being. They make use of a very small portion of their possible consciousness, and of their soul’s resources in general … Great emergencies and crises show us how much greater our vital resources are than we had supposed.”

–William James, American philosopher and psychologist

 

A good friend asked me to write about the verdict in the Trump trial. Initially, I declined, knowing plenty of ink would be “spilled” on that by others. Then, I rethought the request and decided to write about it … from a little different perspective.

We all have our own notions on the outcome of the trial. Some feel the charges were “Trumped” up and never should have been made, while others think Trump should be buried under the jail as though he’s a murderous monster. Most probably fall inside those polar opposites.

Whether or not you like Trump, suffice it to say it’s a black eye for America. For the first time in her history, our country now has a former president who’s a convicted felon. Even if the verdict’s overturned on appeal, we’ll long hear those two words, “convicted felon.” Like toothpaste, it can’t be put back into the tube.

For those of us with no personal ties to the former president, what matters more is how we conduct ourselves in the inevitable discourse that is to follow; that is, how we choose our words and manage our behavior when we discuss the issue with others.

Those in the public eye have been disappointing. Trump lambasted the judge, the DA, and the process. But he’s the accused, and of course he’s going to defend himself. Show him some grace, even if it’s not reciprocated.

The politicians took their usual positions on their appointed side of the aisle and made it all about politics: How will it affect the election in November? Per usual, they seem to take a view through the prism of how it will affect their chances for re-election … or maybe even an appointment in the next administration.

And then there’s District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his merry band of prosecutors, doing a happy dance after the verdict was announced. Justice on display as anything but impartially “blind.” The scene was unprofessional schadenfreude, to say the least. After all, a man’s and his family’s lives had just been upturned.

That leaves the rest of us. How will we comport ourselves in the weeks between now and November? Can we take a stand without dying on a hill when we talk with someone who has a different view on the trial? Can we be open to the notion that maybe our preconceived ideas might not be completely accurate?

A mind and a hand are alike in that, when closed, they are much different and more dangerous than when they are open. Can we accept that our opinion is just that–our opinion. And, if nothing else, can we agree to cordially disagree?

Not surprisingly, the Bible points us in the right direction. The apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22 that “…the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (NIV).

This is a seminal moment in our public conversation when we would be wise, and gracious, to invoke those traits. It’ll be hard, but I’m going to try. I hope you will too.