Tuesday Re-mix –
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. I Corinthians 13:12
Imagine being locked in a dark room with a bunch of other people with whom you must work together to find a way out. There are obstacles and opportunities throughout the room, but they are difficult to see. You truly must rely on each other to feel your way through the room, exploring every corner and piecing together the information accumulated by the group. In such a scenario, your chances of figuring it out all by yourself without anyone else’s help are slim to none. But together, it can be done.
That is very much like discerning the will of God together as a church body. For now, when it comes to seeing Spiritual truths, we all see as through a glass dimly. We are never so arrogant as when we proudly proclaim to the world that we have seen the will of God all by ourselves, and that we clearly understand it better than anyone else. In this age of the church, that does not seem to be God’s desire. Rather, He apparently intends that we would learn to come to Him together, seeking His truths together, and gently massaging those truths into one another.
But that process can be truly frustrating, especially in times of conflict. Working with a conflicted congregation, I often wonder why God doesn’t just make an appearance in their worship service one Sunday morning and tell them exactly what He is thinking about them and what He wants them to do. Frankly, it would be a lot easier for them –if not a little embarrassing– than the interminable processes of trying to build consensus and seek the will of God together at a time when they don’t even like each other. Let’s face it, church people can be some of the most annoying, narrow-minded, disappointing people around. Having to work with them to discern truth is, well, frustrating to say the least.
And yet, for reasons only He understands, it is what God desires. He expects us to figure it out and work it out together. No “lone ranger” Christians. Seeing as through a glass dimly, we could stumble along on our own if we want. But we would miss out on the miracle of God’s Spirit working through relationships we thought could never be reconciled.
So, here we go. Let’s do this thing…together.
© Blake Coffee
One response to “Figuring it All Out…Together”
I have wondered the same thing – why must God make it so complicated? But then I realize how humbling it is to not have all the answers, to need other people, to try and understand other people. And I need to be humbled.