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     Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. Acts 15:36-40

Most loving Lord Jesus, I start this day grateful that there are many examples of broken relationships and Christians loving poorly included in the Scriptures. I’m not glad life in the Body of Christ gets quite messy and painful. But I am thankful these stories weren’t edited out, for they give us perspective and hope. The Bible is brutally honest about our weaknesses and failures, as your followers. We need you all the time, all the time.

In particular, I’m thankful today for this story of two good friends, Paul and Barnabas, having “such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.” Lord, I’ve been in that situation, and right now I’m watching “sharp disagreements” divide good friends, old marriages and a few churches. Being “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-6) doesn’t seem to be as high of a priority as being determined to win. Have mercy, Jesus, have mercy and reveal your might. May the gospel trump divisiveness and pettiness.

Jesus, the good news is you’ve come to destroy hostilities; to tear down walls of division; to make peace and be our peace. You reconcile enemies to God and to one another, so I am confident you are faithfully at work in these tense and complicated situations. But my confidence doesn’t mask my weariness. How long, O Lord? How long before the Day when we no longer misrepresent you to our watching world? How long before the Day of no more bitterness or brokenness?

It took time plus grace for Paul and Barnabas to get back together. I don’t know what “time plus grace” will look like in each of these painful stories. To the extent you would have me get involved, help me listen from the heart and offer a non-anxious presence. Help me pray in the Spirit, reason from the Scriptures, and love by the gospel. Help me to wait upon you, Lord, and not just weigh my options.

Enable me to engage with different sides without taking sides—to stay present in the chaos without giving in to the pulls. Keep my heart from becoming more cynical and my words from only sounding critical. Show up Jesus, show up big, show up soon. No one is better at sticky-situation loving than you, so I abandon myself to you with my fears, my confusion, my anger and my very real hope of your showing up. So very Amen I pray, in your powerful and reconciling name.

 


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