JESUS

Each of us lives in a world of heavy conflict.  If not careful, we will fold and wither because the nagging pressure coupled with sheer aggravation is so extremely intense.  The temptation to give up and quit is to be taken most seriously.  How shall we negotiate these highways and ditches in order to experience more than survival; but incredible life?

Conservatives and liberals each blame the other.  Men and women scrap over gender considerations.  The older seek security while the younger covet adventure.  All hold their Bibles up as their testimonial authority.

The seriously-minded disciple will and must grapple with a non-stop contention among every tribe and bent and whim.  Truth is truth.  Leanings may not be.  This conflict is nothing new for those who were once young and rambunctious in their 20s and 30s.  These, as we have aged, gradually became defenders of the fields we had cleared.  As we became the new 50s and 60s...well a defensive perspective arose in some.

Is there a solution to the many intricacies of mankind's divisive glut?  Absolutely.  It won't mean compromise nor will it mean the stronger bullies win.

It means Jesus is the answer, the direction, and the solution.

Jesus lived for all of us with our weird and shameful baggage that we drag into our church confines.  Jesus died for all of us with our weird and shameful baggage that we drag into our church confines.

Jesus is less discussed among us compared to matters and issues that we believe sit upon our individual front burners.  Yet, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

I'm not saying women's role, music preference, and a hundred other issues are neutral in importance.  I am saying that traditionally and from bruised experience that when one-by-one a matter is settled we perpetually find that we are a people no closer to and no more in love with Jesus than when the feud began.

Jesus, church, is the Light of the world.  In places man has designed doctrines and buildings to announce to the communities that we can be deep in opinion, unmoved by our divisive spirits, and bent on holding our ground.  This can change.  We want to be a part of the maturity in Spirit.

Jesus is not just the Savior of the world.  He is the Savior of the church who will be ever stronger the more we know, love, and adore him.

Jesus is our extreme example; never give up and never quit.....NEVER.