Warning, contents might be rather unsettling for some. Discretion is advised.
There are times when I wonder about the future of our society as the trends of the world become more and more self-centred. There are a multitude of perspectives out there that, for the individual, could be found offensive or go against their own beliefs but here is the thing, I may not agree with their perspective, so who is right? I am going to try this social experiment knowing full well there will be some out there who will start a discussion regarding their views on this simple topic.
Three people sitting around at a coffee shop talking about cars (you can change this to whatever you wish). One is a die-hard Chevy supporter, has the bow tie light in the garage, a poster of the latest muscle car that will soon be sitting in the garage and has a ton of Chevy bling everywhere. The second person has the “Built Ford Tough” jacket, drives the new Ford F350 with all the bells and whistles and defends the beloved name brand to the point of heated arguments about the company that built America. The banter goes back and forth for what seems like an hour. People in the coffee shop are both amused and concerned as the conversation does, at time, become rather heated. The third person at the table is listening intently but not participating too much in the discussion. The two notice this and one asks “well, what side are you on?” and without batting an eye, the reply was “I chose the one that is paid for.”
This is only one discussion/argument/debate that happens every second of the day and, for some, it can cause irreparable damage. I have seen families torn apart over the simplest of differences. There are disputes about lifestyles, religions, political views, race and the list goes on and on. So many can get so angry with one another that the division between sides grows over just about everything once the ball gets rolling. Have you ever seen where a simple argument over butter or margarine becomes so bad that everything one person says, the other automatically counters and it grows to include the whole family? There has to be common ground, the eye of the storm as it were, where peace reigns despite the division. You see, while everyone thinks they have all the answers and their answers are the only one that counts, it is all a matter of perspective, and it should be examined next to the something that is foundational to all.
In Matthew 6, Jesus was teaching us how to pray and one thing that makes me take pause is in verse 10.
May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. NLT
Take this back to the car discussion. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, import, domestic, electric, hybrid, diesel, gasoline—who cares. Does it take me from point “A” to point “B” in relative comfort and is it paid for? Baptist, Presbyterian, Nazarene, Pentecostal—who cares? Is Christ the center of the teaching and has the price been paid? There is really nothing on this planet that cannot be simplified to lowest common denominator, and, at that point, the argument becomes rather mute. Consider the prayer “may Your will be done” not my will, not the will of a particular denomination or religious group but rather the will of God. May this be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Do you think there are arguments, strife, backstabbing, wars or fighting in Glory? Of course not. Love God with absolutely every ounce of your being and love each other as yourself. I would say enemy, but you know what, there will be no enemies in Heaven, plain and simple. What would Jesus do? He loves perfectly and forgives abundantly. If that were done on earth as it is in Heaven, would there be wars or worldwide strife?
This Sunday, Pastor Todd starts a new series on the “Will of God”. Our service is at 10:30 AM both online and in person. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”
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