Working together with those we do not "like"


Who can map out the various forces at play in one soul? I am a great depth, O Lord. The hairs of my head are easier by far to count than my feelings, the movements of my heart. -Saint Augustine


Most of us never really see the people we live with. Our friend may be right before our eyes, but we do not see him. We see our idea of him, a little model we have made in our mind, and on that we pronounce our judgments. That is why, when we quarrel with someone, the worst thing we can do is to avoid him or her. We are trying to avoid an image in our own mind, which cannot be done.

The mind takes some exaggerated impressions, memories, hopes, and insecurities, draws a quick caricature like one of those sidewalk cartoonists, and then turns up its nose. The person in question should retort, "That's not me;that's your caricature of me. If you don't like it, you don't like your own mind." To heal our relationships, we have to move closer to people we do not like, learn to work with them without friction.When we do this, we are remaking the images in our mind- which means we are literally remaking the world in which we live. -Easwaran

What is it that drives some folks?

Why do some seem to relish in the task of discrediting others?

Why do those who call Christ "Lord" deny His grace to them by extending hostility and disapproval to their fellow man?

The disconnect is rather poignant to me.


I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that
all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they
also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17.21



How can the world ever "Get It", when we as Christians devour one another, and not extend grace to one another? That is what dismays me. The world will never get the gospel as long as we make a choice to become more intent on having our way, and choosing to discredit others because we don't like them or don't agree with them. This is something other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


My prayer is that the people within my church body would learn this lesson well. I am afraid that in some cases, it is too late.


This does NOT make my heart sing.

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