I just returned from Los Angeles and the city was in the midst of a heat wave with the temperature one day climbing all of the way up to 107 degrees. I met an IT person at a meeting and he was truly an expert at his trade and even fixed an aggravating problem that I was having with my cell phone. I was jokingly trying to recruit him and mentioned that Florida wasn’t nearly as hot as southern California.
He recounted his one and only trip to Florida, and he said that when they opened the door on the plane he saw what appeared to be steam. He was puzzled as to its source and even wondered if perhaps they were steam cleaning the outside of the plane. When he exited it was clear that the steam was actually humidity derived from the humid heat outside the plane meeting the cool air conditioned air coming from inside the plane.
Yesterday upon my arrival I noticed the same thing when they opened the plane’s door, steam was pouring out of the vents near the doorway. I smiled as I thought of him and his aversion to the humidity of the Deep South.
Ah yes we have humidity in Florida, but I like it far better than the dry heat that cracks your hands. Humidity moisturizes the skin and the absence of it for me is similar to a raisin cookie being baked in an oven and wrinkling up.
God in His infinite wisdom made us all different. One guy likes it hot and his sister likes it cold. I like humidity, my new California buddy likes it dry. The entire human race is divinely designed to be different.
So why can’t folks just accept that? Folks from the north think those of us in the south are ignorant. Folks in the south point to their crowded cities where people are rude and think they are stupid for living in such conditions. Some folks hate anyone that is not of their race. It seems people just don’t like anyone different than them.
In the body of Christ unfortunately division is far and wide too. As with society we are deeply divided over theology and doctrinal issues, race, politics, egos & logos, petty disagreements and grievances galore. There are charismatics and stoics and everything in between.
I believe that God designed each member of the body of Christ individually in order that we could accomplish more for His kingdom. If we were all eyes, we could see really well, but that is about it. Without legs we couldn’t even walk much less run. Without ears we couldn’t hear and so forth.
Be content with who and what you are and quit trying to emulate who you aren’t and/or hating everyone not like you. God created you to serve His purpose and endowed you with everything you need to accomplish His purpose for your life. The Bible states that He wonderfully formed you in the womb and that the very hairs on your head are numbered. We are to use whatever resources we have to serve Him.
Some folks can preach up a storm and evangelize the world; others quietly pray powerful prayers; friendly extroverts are greeters; some visit the sick, or the prisoners; the rich provide the greater financial needs; the handyman repairs the worship center; the writer develops the programs; the white haired mentor disciples the millennial; and so it goes.
Surely it must grieve God to see so much division in His church. He designed us to work together in order to bring glory to His name. The last thing He wants is to hear someone say: “He is not one of us, he believes . . .”
Unity makes bold statements:
- You are a follower of Jesus. John 13:35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
- That there will be a blessing. Psalm 133:1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
- You are being obedient. Phil. 2:1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.…
There are 40,000 denominations in the world. Imagine if all of those many groups of folks who love Jesus would cooperate together for the common purpose of helping the world to know Jesus.
We need to band together and if you haven’t signed up for The Jesus Alliance, please do so today. www.Thejesusalliance.org
Eph. 4:1
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love . . .
September 18, 2014 – Click here to listen