Undivided
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Differences of opinion are normal and natural, even healthy. It’s the means we have of sifting through ideas and issues to come to the best possible conclusion for the whole.
Differences in personality help bring wholeness to the discussion table as we offer different perspectives.
It is only when we become divided in purpose that destruction comes. When personalities and opinions become the competition and the struggle, we know the purpose of the whole has been forfeited for the purpose of the individual. If someone always needs to be right or needs to feel powerful, then their own agenda will replace the purpose of the whole and hurt and fracture will result.
“…every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand??? (Matthew 12:25).
If you are dealing with a sandpapery relationship in your home or church, stop and ask yourself if you and the other person have the same purpose at heart. If you both have the same desire to build your home or your marriage or to build the kingdom of God through the church, then look afresh at the goal. Focusing together on what is the ultimate purpose will help bring perspective to the differing opinions and personalities. Our very differences and the way we see things can become the tools that help carve out new paths and better solutions.
Jesus must have known how hard it would be for us to stay in unity. His last prayer, before He was betrayed in the garden, was for all believers to be brought to complete unity so the world would know that God sent Him and that He loves them (John 17:20-23).
When you find yourself in conflict in your home or in your church, stop and ask yourself if you are working toward the purpose of the whole or if your own need to be right or powerful has escalated the conflict. Be intentional in polishing up the purpose of what your home or church or organization is about.
The differences we bring to relationships are meant to round out the whole. None of us have the complete picture. Enjoy different styles, tastes, opinions and personalities. Negotiate solutions where differences collide. This is part of life in a healthy environment. Remind each other what you are building together. It is when the purpose fades that the fractures come.
Father God,
I want to contribute to unity in my home and in my church. Keep my heart undivided in the purpose of building a strong marriage and a healthy church. Help me to be willing to listen to others with new perspective and to help work toward the goal of what our purpose is. May those around us know we are Christians by our love. In Jesus’ strong name I pray, amen.
About the Author
This devotional was written by Gail Rodgers. Read more about Gail: http://www.talk.thelife.com/gail-rodgers/
Questions
1. Why do we find it hard to stay united?
2. Why is unity important?
3. How can you recapture the values of what your marriage or your church is building?
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I do appreciate my daily devotional. This one triggered me to give a response. I also think having Christan fellowship is important but I don’t think you have to be in a church buliding to receive that felloship. I attend church weekly with my family but I have found the best fellowship is meeting in homes for cell groups and such. I also do homehealth care nursing and I have been able to reach out more in the homesetting than any church building. We should remember that some people are shut in do to physical illness and don’t always have family and fellow believers. Church is good but to me having church outside a building can be even better.
Thanks for the devotion
Diane
Test
Just as my human example showed, we find it so hard to stay unified because we are self centered by nature. We often quickly respond without thinking or praying, or remembering God’s purpose for our lives.
To remain unified we must remember HIM who brought us together to begin with.
Remember to be slow to anger and quick to listen.
This is very clear and very well presented.
We are created uniquely. There are no two alike, and yet we are to work together for one purpose…to be witnesses. United in the purpose to witness to the world that Jesus is the Son of God, sent to save the world because He loves us. It is when we get caught up in ourselves and our own purpose that unity fails. Jesus Christ and Him crucified, His death and resurrection, and His coming again…..because of His love for us. Amen!
Good Morning everyone.
Well GOD did it again. I was fuming this morning after a quick heated exchange with my husband. Our 5 year old woke up a little cranky… Was refusing to eat breakfast and wanted his guitar at the table while he ate.
Then the fussy little fellow, just whined until I said, ok put on your jacket and wait for Dad. I opened the front door and my son walked out on the porch headed to the steps. My husband yells at me: “Don’t let him out by himself he will go in the street!” Now there are 3 steps from our porch to the walkway and a very long walkway to the car. Obviously I am not going to stand there and watch him walk in the street. But if that is not enough, husband adds on a “That is so stupid!” of course I only heard it as, I am stupid. So at this point… My FLESH takes over.
“Who are you calling Stupid?” by this time, he and my son are walking to the car. He is flustered and I am fuming.
I must add that my son is 5 years old and was diagnosed with Autism last year. He is non verbal and he requires my husband and I to truly be a team to work with him and we do every day. However, my husband is very overprotective of him. I often joke and call him Mr. Mom.
But anyway… after they left, I thought about waiting until I thought he had dropped off my son at school and calling him to let him have it! But instead, I listened to that small still voice and opened up my computer instead.
SAID ALL OF THAT TO SAY… I FOUND THIS DEVOTIONAL in my INBOX. RIGHT there waiting to bless me, move me to repentance and I even forwarded it to my husband. WHat could have escalated into something bigger, was not only squashed but gave us both something to pray and meditate on. So I can’t wait to see his reply to the questions.
I don’t know where I would be without CWT and I am so grateful to now have this blog to share with other Christian women throught the day. Ill be back to answer the questions.
sorry for the long post.
I’m encouraged to see the depth of discussion and connection on the inaugural day of the devotional blog. Thanks for taking the time to come by!
I can’t help but think how much healthier our churches and families would be if we chose to “stop and ask yourself if you are working toward the purpose of the whole or if your own need to be right or powerful has escalated the conflict.” How many complaints and arguments would never pass through the gate of our lips? Ouch. I’m feeling that one.
This is counter-intuitive for us in the West, governed as we are by our individualism and consumerism. But it’s biblical. And it’s beautiful. If you’ve ever been on a short-term missions trip, you’ve experienced the heart connection with believers whose language, culture and socioeconomic status are worlds apart from yours. Rippling in my memory are the warm smiles of Mexican believers when we read Psalm 133 with “Gringo” accents in their church services:
How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when brothers live together in harmony!
2
For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And the LORD has pronounced his blessing,
even life forevermore (NLT).
Thanks, Gail, for calling us today to lift our voices towards the end of making harmony.