What would you tell Pete?

Why can't we get along?

My friend Pete (made up to protect those involved) helps out at some local missions.
He's a real peacmaker. Always trying to see from another's point of view. Always trying to bring people together to care for one another.

The problem? 

The people in charge of some of the missions can't get along.
Even though each is important, and each one works hand in hand to meet the needs of the community, they undermine eachother sometimes.

They talk to others in the community negatively about eachother.
Sometimes even saying things that aren't true or are based on bits of miscommunicated information, or jumbled up facts.

Pete, tried to talk to them. He had lengthy conversations with some, made several meetings. Each time he went he thought that things had been settled. He thought that everyone agreed that there's been some misunderstandings and that they would all try to work together.

But despite his efforts he heard today that one of the leaders, one that he thought for sure he had come to an understanging with, said some hurtful things about another mission to someone in the community.

This community member was excited and wanted to raise some awareness for several of the missions. She was met with some harsh words, however, from this leader about one of the missions she wanted to include.

Fortunately, she wasn't put off.
She knew of the good that this mission does, that all of them do every day, and the importance of working together.
My friend Pete is devasted though.
He really thought he had made some headway in bringing peace.

So what would you do in this situation?

Would you confront the leader and ask why they said such things?
Would you ignore it since it turned out fine in the end?

Top 3 lessons this year

I haven’t posted in a long while.

I’ve been busy, and distracted.
Mostly, though I haven’t known how to put my thoughts down in any way that would be worth reading.
So, here’s an attempt to summarize the lessons I’ve been schooled in these last few months.

1. Patience

Over and over I keep being reminded of being patient. Patiently waiting on God. I want immediate results. Sometimes I think I need immediate results, something that will show me a glimmer that there’s good being done in what I do. I’ve been reading through the Gospel of John lately, and Philip Yancey’s book Reaching for the Invisible God. Every time I read from either one lately it seems I’m reminded of patience.

Just recently in a chapter of Yancey’s book I read this quote, “patience and hope are the substance of faith. Patience formed by a long memory of what God has done and hope that our faithfulness will prove worth the risk.” I like this. I will remember this when I’m feeling discouraged.

2. Cowardice

Jesus says often in the Gospels, “Fear not.” The apostle John writes “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear…” In other words, the cure to fear is not a change in circumstances, rather a deep grounding in the love of God.

I have found that lately I’ve been a coward. I do things out of fear rather than love. Fear of being found lacking. Fear of being unaccepted, not good enough. I’m afraid of discomfort, pain, uncertainty, and I’ve found myself angry and irritable as a result.

Daily I have to remind myself, even moment by moment I have to remind myself that my identity is found in Christ alone. I don’t want to be a coward.

3. Forgiveness

I’ve been tripping up on anger and bitterness not only toward a few who have hurt me, but towards myself. Things in life don’t go as we expect them. People don’t always behave as you want them to, and many times we don’t behave as we ought.

Jesus is clear that we must forgive. It’s hard to forgive though especially yourself.

"Daily I pray for God to melt my heart with his love. Transformation comes, in the end, not from an act of will, but an act of grace. We can only ask for it and keep asking.” Phillip Yancey, Reaching for the Invisible God