Do we give up? Do we say 'screw it'?

It can be difficult living in the Body of Christ, living in the way of Jesus, living with individuals who are living out their faith, or lack of faith, in the ways they understand and are able. What I feel, how I see things, etc. may not be the way you feel or see things. Those issues that I feel passionately about may not be what you feel passionately about. The way I cope with situations may not be the way you would. The innocence I have may not be yours.

Misunderstandings and hurtful words and actions may abound. Some are meant to be hurtful; most I would say are not. It seems to me that most people are driven to live lives out of hurts and disappointments as well as hopes and aspirations that are not fully understood. Sometimes what is said or done is more a reflection on the person who is saying or doing, rather than on the person to whom it is said or done. It's that adage: You point your finger at me, and you have four pointing back at yourself.

While we as Christians strive to live as God would have us live, as God has shown us through the Son, and leads us through the Spirit, we fail. Our good works in Christ's name somehow become affirmations of our own abilities. Our desire to serve humbly and anonymously end up sometimes feeling unappreciated. Our passion for issues becomes stumbling blocks for others. Our understanding of who God calls us to be becomes judgmental of others.

Do we give up? Do we say 'screw it?' Do we go about our own way without consideration for others? Do we blindly and bullishly charge ahead with our agenda? Does the 'opposition' just make our 'way' more adamant, loud, pig-headish? I'm afraid. I am afraid that happens. The Good News of Christ's death and resurrection gets lost in the midst of all the jockeying for 'my way.'

So what is the solution? How can we as Christians be united and not divisive? How can we be 'other worldly' while living in 'this world'?

There are those blessed times when I am part of a group whose fundamental understanding is the love of God, the grace extended to us, the willingness to put aside the differences. Those times are amazing! The love and acceptance, the wow! of having so many denominations in a room without arguing, the friendships that sprout in literally minutes, the hugs and tears that are gifts given.... this is living in the Body of Christ, this is being united and not divisive, this is God's Kingdom here on earth.

May we continuously strive to put God's agenda before our own, to give up our own desires, to look at the other with eyes of love and acceptance, to be humble, to be just, to walk with God. May we continuously beg God for the gifts and strength and courage needed to overcome our inabilities, our humanness, our weakness. May we pray always that God transforms us into whole loving beings, just as God is.