Tough Choices
Dear Sutton and Savannah,
Some decision are pretty easy; one choice seems right, and the other does not. Or one choice is invigorating and the other feels exhausting. Other decisions are not so easy; one option feels exciting but the other option feels stable and secure. Or one option will hurt one group of people and the other option will hurt a different group of people. There is not always a “right” or best choice. For those decisions I feel like it is important to pay attention to the wisdom that comes from listening to all the parts that make up who you are.
-Dad
Inside Out Lectionary Letters
Year A Proper 7 - (Texts, Art, Hymns)
Readings for Sunday, June 21, 2026
Genesis 21:8-21 / Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 / Romans 6:1b-11 / Matthew 10:24-39
Summary of Matthew 10:24-39
This passage is part of Jesus' preparation of the disciples before they venture into the surrounding towns. The instructions feel like a collection of warnings, encouragements, and reminders. Jesus knows that the outward journey will not be easy. The writings of Josephus tell us that some of the unsettling predictions soon came to pass with the breaking up of families due to faith-based allegiances and political loyalties.
Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul
So, there is a literal aspect to the statement that one's foes will be members of his own household. And there is a figurative aspect to those statements, whereby families become divided along religious, political or philosophical lines, creating tension, division and estrangement.
However, the passage also describes something that happens within every person. The parts of our inner self become divided over competing agendas. The task-driven inner masculine voice feels abrasive to the relationally-minded inner feminine voice. The masculine side doesn't want to waste time, while the feminine side wants to enjoy time. The one part of me has to think about my feelings before I know what I am feeling, while another part of me feels first and has no need to explain why the feelings exist. A part is intrigued by change while another part works hard to create stability. A part of the soul is attracted to the unhinged voice of transformation, but then wants to quickly tame and control it. The soul is not a singular voice but rather a gathering of voices, each with its own agenda, fears, hopes, and priorities.
Our greatest foes are in our own inner household. They seem to betray us more than outward foes ever will. The inner journey asks us to notice the competing loyalties that shape our lives. Which voices are rooted in fear? Which are rooted in love? Which seek control? Which seek connection? Until these voices become visible, the inner world remains confusing and chaotic.
The goal is not to eliminate parts of ourselves but to understand them: The entrepreneurial voice and the security-seeking voice. The task-oriented voice and the relational voice. The voice that wants to protect and the voice that longs to explore. Each carries something valuable. As they are brought into the light, they can begin to move from conflict toward cooperation. The outward journey of the disciples became the catalyst for their inner transformation. The same is often true for us. Life exposes our divisions, but grace invites us toward integration.