Bridging the Divide

1st Peter chapter 4 lays out for us a course for our lives in the area of human relationships, as we seek peace, tempered by Christ's love:
7But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.8And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.10As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

I believe there is a human tendency to quit, or offer to quit, when we don't get our way.   We have to make sure that we are pursuing God-inspired solutions when we encounter differences with one another.   When we're not satisfied in a relationship or an organization, we have to resist the temptation to become stuck in a particular position to the extent that we fail to communicate or at least do not communicate in a manner that will result in peace.  The love of Christ can compel us to pursue an approach that is tempered by a desire for healing and restoration, covered in prayer, so that even when we disagree, the end result can bring glory to our Savior.

Romans 12 offers so much insight into human relationships and bringing glory to God in the way we deal with others.   I want to share a few verses:
10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;And, beginning in verse 16, we see how God has called us to the pursuit of peace.16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.17Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Election Day 2013 has come and gone, and you probably heard the results in some of the more high-profile races - Gov. Christie winning re-election in New Jersey, the first Democratic mayor for New York City in about 2 decades, Terry McAuliffe defeating Ken Cuccinelli in a closer-than-expected race in Virginia.   And, closer to home, in Alabama's 1st Congressional District, Bradley Byrne moves on to the next round after defeating Dean Young in the Republican runoff.

An election result you may not have heard comes out of the state of Colorado, or the proposed 51st state of Northern Colorado - I kid you not, 11 counties in the state had ballot measures, essentially a straw poll, to determine if the people wanted local officials to pursue secession.   Fox News reports that voters in at least five rural Colorado counties decided Tuesday they are done with the state government and want to pursue creating a new state.

Voters in Phillips, Cheyenne, Washington, Yuma and Kit Carson counties voted “yes” on a ballot question that asked if they would like their county commissioners to pursue secession from Colorado, along with commissioners from other counties, according to a report in the Denver Post. 

The vote means county leadership can embark on what many see as a longshot effort to pursue secession, which would have to be approved by Colorado's Legislature and eventually the U.S. Congress.

The effort was spearheaded by commissioners and residents from Weld County, the state’s third largest county, which includes the city of Greeley. However, 57 percent of the voters in the county had voted against exploring secession as of Tuesday night.

Weld County resident Jeffrey Hare, the spokesman for the 51st State Initiative, said the movement has grown out of grassroots frustration with a series of bills passed by the Colorado legislature recently, most notably the strict gun control law that led to the recall of two Democratic state lawmakers in September.

“We all asked the question what else can be done,” Hare said.

Weld County Commissioner Douglas Rademacher said he believes the voice of rural Colorado has been "diminished over the past several decades. We feel we need to restore that voice for our residents."

OK, I get it - frustration with governmental policies and control leaves people wondering where to turn next. There are those that would support residents seceding from the U.S., as well, and I fully understand.   I'm not so sure how I would have voted in Colorado - obviously, I don't live there and don't know the level of frustration.   But I saw this and I was reminded of how sometimes we operate when we don't like something...we quit or at least threaten to.   And, you have to examine what is the Biblical path.

I really do believe that there is a human tendency when we don't get our way to walk away.   And, yes, there can be times when legitimate differences will force us to consider another course.   But, I would hope that we have pursued the path of peace and unity.    Sometimes, taking a stand can lead to unbiblical disunity.   The Bible calls us to be at peace with other people, if possible.   But, a disagreement will sometimes lead to a severing of ties rather than taking an opportunity to communicate.   Our failure to communicate and dig in our heels on a particular position can cause tension and wounds that lessen the effectiveness of people and organizations.

That's not to say that we should not be people of conviction - we absolutely need to be strong in what we believe.   But, we also have to learn how to disagree agreeably.    If we identify common goals and state a common purpose, and pray together - fervently and consistently - perhaps God will bring a solution.  And, even if we reach an impasse and decide on going separate ways, we can know that we have done so under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, we have to resist the urge to quit when there are signs of disagreement.  I think that as children, when we don't get our way, the game stops and one or both parties take their toys and go home.   If that mindset creeps into adult life, then we fail to allow the Holy Spirit to work and to bring a God-honoring solutions when we encounter personal differences.   And, our differences may be with unbelievers - even then, we can be challenged to position ourselves as people who want to facilitate and engage in meaningful conversation, so that the issues can be brought forth in a civil and controlled fashion, recognizing that separation is not necessarily the best option and can lead to woundedness of heart and an unproductive path of destruction.  

So, whenever possible, pursue unity.  If there is a disagreement, disagree with civility.   And, look for ways to promote healing and restoration.   If there is separation, it should be handled with compassion.   If it involves believers, we always, always, seek for Christ to be glorified.