Ever see a Major League Baseball Team Manager run out of a dugout and get up in the face of an umpire so close that they could easily tell which brand of chewing tobacco each were using? This is no calm discussion, no mediated dispute. It's two people who saw the same moment in time quite differently and have very strong opinions about it. There's no good solution here. Somebody's getting hurt(or thrown out).
That happens at my house periodically, tempers flare, words exchanged, feelings hurt, solution lost. Yes, the solution is lost when it gets so heated. Instead of solution to the original problem now we have to work on reconciliation, a new solution to a new problem. When allowed to, a disagreement can spiral out of control and the best solution becomes damage control.
The sad truth is, this is what happens in the church way too often. And that's not what God has in mind. God's will is never to create disharmony. What pleases God is never for one to get their way and leave others feeling hurt. What God desires from all of us is respect even (or especially) in the midst of conflict. (which is usually only a differing of opinion and rarely theological in nature.)
Simply put, God wants the church to get along and the solution for all of us is not to kick dirt on those we disagree with, rather it is to listen, serve, putting aside our own desires for the needs of others.
"...you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you. God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. Do everything readily and cheerfully - no bickering, no second guessing allowed!" (Philippians 2:12-14, The Message)
Paul's passion for the church as it grew from its infancy was to be sensitive to the needs of others, never their own. In fact in many of Paul's letters to the churches the main issue comes as a result of the church's or the leader's selishness. Eugene Peterson describes the right response in The Message as responsive obedience. That's watching out for the needs of others. And do you know how you can be responsive to the needs of others?
Know them!
The Church is one big family. Just like as parents we know what's usually best for our children and as adult children we learn what's best for our older parents. As friends see more clearly than we do sometimes, we need to share together, learn together, learn each other and be family.
Knowing the family (the people of the church) will alter selfishness and usher in responsiveness. It's what Jesus did for us. He surely didn't do what was in his best interest. And He's commanded us to do the same.
"Others will know you are my disciples because of your love for one another." (John 13:34)
Anything less than that is not of God, but born out of our own selfishness.
What God desires of his church is...
...Peace ><>
pc
3 comments:
I thank God for my family at church. They give me strength, they give me love, they give me encouragement, they give me peace.
In them, I see God. Through them, I become a better person.
It breaks my heart when my children are at odds with each other. When they aren't' getting along, there is a tension that engulfs our home, and no one is at peace. The love for each child is still there, but there is usually a distance between the girls and between myself. That tension and distance is awful!
Can you imagine how God's heart must break when His children are at odds?
These are tough lessons to learn and even harder to live by. I too thank God for my family at church, they mean everthing to me. If we can just remember that is it about Him, and not us, there really is nothing worth bickering about.
God's love is abundant and His grace is unending. Enjoy and pass it on!
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