Side By Side

"Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?"

Amos 3:3

 

A number of years ago, Dean Martin performed a song called, "Side By Side".  Think about this, is a journey possible if there is no agreed upon direction?  Is it possible for us to do ANYTHING together if the direction is not agreed?  Can we carry on a conversation when we can't decide the subject to discuss?  If we try then we are to idiots just talking to ourselves.

 

A church youth pastor wanted to emphasize this point by having a "Random Race."  Each of youth was blindfolded (it was held in the gym so there were few obstacles) and they were turned in different directions.  Then with the "BANG" of the cap gun they all started running.  However, the finish line location was never provided and everyone took off in their own direction.  How well do you think the race went?  I'll admit, it was pretty funny to watch, but the finish line location had never been agreed on, nor had the direction of the race been agreed on.  

 

Every day, we must agree on the direction we are willing to go with others.  Who are you willing to walk "Side By Side" with?  

United

 I am in prison because I belong to the Lord. Therefore I urge you who have been chosen by God to live up to the life to which God called you. ² Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love. ³ You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, and God called you to have one hope. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. ⁶ There is one God and Father of everything. He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything.

Ephesians 4:1-6 

 

Have you noticed how our world has become more integrated yet more divided at the same time?  Almost every country has a mix of other cultures.  Some are adjusting well and some are not.

 

But this is nothing new....is it?  We've struggled with the "us" and "them" conflict for longer than we can remember why it started in the first place.  And here's the bad part, that mentality has crept into every aspect of our lives.  

 

     *   We have churches with pastors who think the church is theirs to dictate and control, even to the point where they believe their control extends beyond the church into any other group they happen to be part of.  Attend a pastors conference or a Chaplains meeting and you will see this in action. If this is true, then it is not a church any longer.  Last I heard, the Church is where we gather to worship God, not the pastor.

     *   On the other side, we have churches with families whose ancestors donated the land or paid for a pew or two, or even bought the stained glass windows, therefore they believe the church belongs to them. Last I heard the Church is where we gather to worship God, not the contributions of ancestors.

     *   We have those in our society who believe they are owed simply because.

     *   We make a huge deal out of things we cannot control.  We use any means to divide ourselves.  "You can't join our group.....you're different!"

 

The last time I have read where everyone got along was in Genesis, when it was God, Adam and Eve.  Things went sour when the snake showed up.  

 

Jesus gave us only TWO commandments:  1) "Love God with your whole being" and because of that you can 2) "love others as yourself."

 

We are not here by accident, rather we are here on purpose.  And we have, many times throughout history, that when we work together we can overcome many things.  But we'd rather fight amongst ourselves about whose lives matter more?  HOGWASH!  If you are breathing, your life matters!!  End of story!