Loving our Enemies, with Jamie White
In our fifth video of "Where Peace Begins", Rev. Jamie White offers an honest accounting of the slow, transformative work of forgiveness.
Note: this video contains discussion of sexual assault. Though the story shared is one of resilience and transformation, viewer discretion is advised.
As a young woman, Rev. Jamie White would sit on her bed with clenched fists, repeating, “I will forgive. I will forgive.” Years later, when counseling parishioners through their own anger and grief, she reminds them that reconciliation does not come naturally over time. We have to make a deliberate choice. It may take years for that choice to do its work, but the feelings of forgiveness do eventually follow.
Life continues after tragedy, even after violent tragedy. The choice to forgive, as Jamie shares in this video, “Loving your Enemies” is a choice to re-enter life after being transformed by tragedy. A mentor once told Jamie: “You are going to have to figure out how to take that tragedy, that scar—that has to be your greatest treasure.”
Jamie shares, powerfully, how Jesus’ example has guided her reconciliation process.
There’s a lot of things Jesus didn’t say. There’s a lot of questions he did not answer. However, he did talk a ton about love. And he said a lot about loving our enemies. And then he showed us what it looked like: he laid his life down. And none of that looked like weakness. Every single time, it looked like incredible strength. And it didn’t make anyone afraid of him. It made everyone want to be near him. And people got whole, and healed.”
Putting ideas into action
After watching Jamie’s video, think of a tragedy or disappointment that has permanently changed your life. The following questions, we hope, will help you glimpse how this tragedy can
How has this tragedy transformed you? Bring to mind all the transformations, both internally and in your external circumstances, whether good or bad. How would your life be different, absent this tragedy?
Can you identify gifts that have come through this transformation? Are there any areas where God has given you beauty for ashes?
Bring to mind the wounds and the scars that the tragedy left behind. What would it mean to make these scars into your greatest treasures? When you think about this, what do you feel called to do?
Was there anyone else involved in this situation? Take a moment to think about them. They too have experienced pain, disappointment. They too carry scars. What does it do for you when you see their pain? What do you feel called to do?
May 18: Jamie White & Chad Ford in Dialogue
All are welcome for what promises to be an engaging interfaith discussion between these Jamie and Chad, with lots of space attendees to participate.
Rev. Jamie White became the 18th Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in the summer of 2022. Originally from California, Jamie received her undergraduate degree from Vanguard University of Southern California and her Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Jamie has served congregations in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Southern California, and brings over 20 years of pastoral ministry experience. Jamie is also a founding board member of Kenya Partners Nakuru, a large non-profit organization that has provided healthcare, education, and community support for those in need in rural Kenya since 2006. Beyond her joy for ministry, Jamie loves spending time outdoors with her family; camping, hiking, running, and snowboarding. She enjoys refinishing old furniture, listening to live music with friends, hosting dinner parties, and curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee.
You are so brave
Thank you Jamie