A Conversation…
Opposing views? Or…ineffective communication? How much can you really communicate through a blog posting anyway?
I had a great conversation with a well-respected and much loved friend yesterday. We hadn’t had the opportunity to speak for a while. It’s funny how two people can be so much on the same page and not even know it.
I don’t want to guard my personal views to the point of closing myself off to different ideas. But it’s hard…especially when God has given me clear direction. Defensiveness is a character trait I’m trying hard to suppress. I want to be the loud one in the room. “Hey, everyone! Listen to me!”
All this follows a minor epiphany in my life. In the book of James, the first chapter and fifth verse, it reads:
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
So, here’s the deal. When we see the word wisdom in the New Testament, it means knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. It doesn’t mean street smarts, it doesn’t have anything to do with what they’re selling in the universities; it means knowing the Bible and how to apply it to life.
Where’s the epiphany in that? When this verse was written, there was no Bible. People relied on other people (priests and prophets), discernment, and prayer to get wisdom. But, God has now given us the Bible – His Holy Word. And that means He’s already delivered on His promise to give wisdom to all who ask for it. That’s the epiphany.
So, I turn to the Word to find answers. In the Word, I find unity and not division. In the Word, I find God opposing division in His church.
10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10
For sure, God has given some people a different vision for what church should look like. How do we make church relevant to the world we live in? That seems to be the question of the day.
Could it be that God doesn’t want a model church…a one-size-fits-all church? Could it be that God wants some to move from traditional church to something completely different? And could it be that God wants us all to support the idea that there is no model church?
In the end, He will be glorified. And that truly is the point.
Opposing views? Or…ineffective communication? How much can you really communicate through a blog posting anyway?
I had a great conversation with a well-respected and much loved friend yesterday. We hadn’t had the opportunity to speak for a while. It’s funny how two people can be so much on the same page and not even know it.
I don’t want to guard my personal views to the point of closing myself off to different ideas. But it’s hard…especially when God has given me clear direction. Defensiveness is a character trait I’m trying hard to suppress. I want to be the loud one in the room. “Hey, everyone! Listen to me!”
All this follows a minor epiphany in my life. In the book of James, the first chapter and fifth verse, it reads:
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
So, here’s the deal. When we see the word wisdom in the New Testament, it means knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. It doesn’t mean street smarts, it doesn’t have anything to do with what they’re selling in the universities; it means knowing the Bible and how to apply it to life.
Where’s the epiphany in that? When this verse was written, there was no Bible. People relied on other people (priests and prophets), discernment, and prayer to get wisdom. But, God has now given us the Bible – His Holy Word. And that means He’s already delivered on His promise to give wisdom to all who ask for it. That’s the epiphany.
So, I turn to the Word to find answers. In the Word, I find unity and not division. In the Word, I find God opposing division in His church.
10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10
For sure, God has given some people a different vision for what church should look like. How do we make church relevant to the world we live in? That seems to be the question of the day.
Could it be that God doesn’t want a model church…a one-size-fits-all church? Could it be that God wants some to move from traditional church to something completely different? And could it be that God wants us all to support the idea that there is no model church?
In the end, He will be glorified. And that truly is the point.
So, I will continue to defend the traditional church - because I see the relevance. I will also continue to lead towards change - to foster an environment that supports all God's work. Through Christ, the body of Christ unified and moving on one accord - to glorify Him and reach the lost for Him.
Thank you, my brother, for sharing your heart and opening the dialogue. It was long overdue.
3 comments:
Hey Laurence,
I realize in posting a response that I give up my anonymous-inside-scource status!:) Hey, I really enjoyed our conversation last night. It was good for both of us to share face to face and know that despite a few differences of opinion, we are still on the same TEAM. We have achieved UNITY upon the different roads He has put before us; both roads lead us back to the scource, our Father.
By the way, I like your opening "Opposing views? or Ineffective communication"... we should ALWAYS strive to eradicate the 2nd while working through the 1st. Thanks again! I love you and your family.
Rich
The names were changed to protect the innocent. You rock, my drummer friend!
The cool thing about blogging is that you can write what you want with sense of relative anonymity. It’s kind of like picking your nose while you’re driving down the road. People can still see you, but you somehow think they can’t (yeah, you know you've done it).
The downside to blogging is the dialogue isn’t real if the players don’t all participate. It can be pretty one-sided.
I enjoyed talking with you. I think we can truly share ideas in a non-threatening manner. And you’re right on the money, we’ve definitely achieved unity albeit differing overall views on certain subjects.
In Him we grow a little more each day. Nothing but love for you and yours.
SNIGLET ALERT:
The act of picking your nose but pretending to examine your face if someone sees you doing this is called: INOSEPICUOUS (in-nose-pick-u-us); a derivative of inconspicuous.
(a sniglet is a made up word for events, habits, mannerisms in life that do not have a word yet)
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