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2007/11/22
The Hard Work of Getting Along
by Jon Walker
Let us agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Romans
14:19a (Msg)
As a devotional community of purpose, we have many international readers,
which is why Ill explain that in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving
on Thursday, November 22. It is a day of thanking God for his provision. May we
all use this week as a time of remembrance of Gods grace in our lives and to
take the time to thank God for the many blessings hes given us (including the
many relatives who will visit this weekend! LOL). May God bless and anoint your
week jw.
If you have children, youll know exactly what I mean: Some days you look
into their faces, and you see the attitudes of angels; on other days you want
to scream, Why cant you just get along! as they get into a cyclical argument
about who moved a toy 1/32nd of an inch.
Sometimes these opposite attitudes shift back and forth six times in five
minutes!
But let me ask you this: Do you think God ever looks at us we adults;
believers in community together and he sighs, saying, Why cant my children
just get along?
There are dozens of reasons we dont get along with each other with the sin
of pride right at the top of the list. But I think another huge reason we fail
to live in authentic, consistent, committed, Christian community is because
its too hard.
It requires real effort to work through our differences, to remain
transparent and honest, to confront and to pay close attention to each other.
Frankly, its easier to keep relationships superficial; to demonize one
another when we dont agree; to cut and run at the first sign of trouble rather
than commit to each other.
Yet, God placed within us a need for stick-with-it commitments; his
commitment to us is unbreakable, and he wants to see us extend the same
commitment to each other (2 Cor. 8:5). But this kind of commitment takes time;
something that has become far too scarce in our lives today (and that is a
choice).
God knows we will live in a healthy, Christian community if we will commit to
living our lives together beyond our weekly meetings, if we will make each
other a priority - sharing our lives over coffee, after work, at the ballpark,
in the hospital.
The only way for us to become a friend who sticks closer than a brother
(Proverbs 18:24) is when we focus on the quality of our relationships, not mere
quantity or mere acquaintances.
You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and
enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each
other, treating each other with dignity and honor. (James 3:18, Msg, Emphasis
mine)
So what?
· Love no matter what How can you plan to help
others at all times (not just when its convenient? Proverbs 17:17) ~~ How can
you develop a strategy for loving others at their worst, not just when they
seem loveable? (Romans 5:8).
· Show up The most basic behavior of commitment
is simply showing up. If you care, youll be there. You may be surprised that
your mere presence is a source of encouragement (Hebrews 10:25).
· Intentional Commitments Other than your
spouse, have you ever told someone else, I will always be there for you. This
week established an intentional commitment with another believer. Approach the
Spirits choice, and bless that person by saying, I want to grow close to you
as a friend.
© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.
Jon Walker is a pastor-advocate living in Tennessee and the former pastor of
communications at Saddleback Church.
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