May 6, 2010
Rom. 15:5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.

What does living in complete harmony with each other look like? It seems that so much of the stress I deal with in my life is conflict between me and another, or between others in my circle of influence or under my care. Are we all just sinfully defiant and unwilling to live in this spirit of harmony, or is there some other meaning?
I’ve been meeting together with a group of friends as we try and “flesh out” what unity means in the body of Christ, but especially between three very different churches. It has been fun, but not always easy. The other day at one of our meetings, I asked; “What draws us together – why do you keep coming to these get togethers”? The most common answer was that we all fashion ourselves, and see each other as somewhat “on the edge” of our lives and ministry. We like to think of ourselves as “cutting edge”, and maybe we are, but more likely to me is the fact that this group is willing to lay aside our significant differences in order to focus with greater intention on our even more significant similarities and commonly shared beliefs and values. I don’t think what we are doing is necessarily revolutionary, but it is interesting. I wonder where we’ll end up?
On a more personal level, I want to know what more I can and should be doing to foster harmony within my own circle(s) of influence. Am I an advocate for harmony and unity, or am I an instigator of the opposites? Am I working to advance my own personal-preference agenda(s); or am I honestly following God’s will and leading? Am I allowing the anger, frustration, and resentment that lie within me to sabotage my relationships, especially with those I love the most, and those with whom I work most intimately?
Lord Jesus, I want to do the right things today to build unity and harmony with the folks I share life and ministry. I want to know your patience and encouragement, so I might exhibit those in myself, and share them with others.