Greetings in Christ,
We have all done it. We have said I just wish we could all get along. It is a desire we have in making this statement and to some degree we wish it were true, but the reality of life sinks in and we know it will not happen. We find ourselves in situations where some of the people we deal with we get along while others are a challenge to even say hello to them. As hard as we try people will find a way to get under our skin and frustrate us.
We consider many times it would be nice if we could get along especially in those situations where the frustration levels get so high. No matter the course we take it just seems difficult to manage the feelings we have inside towards that person or those people. We often put them into their own category and separate ourselves from them hoping our method of separation works to alleviate the frustration we are feeling, but reality sinks in once more reminding us we are just fooling ourselves.
What if we all could get along? What if we could work with the fellow co-worker on the job and make work hours pleasurable? What if dealing with people it became so easy there were no more arguments? I think that is where we go in our minds when we face those times of frustration. What would it be like to just get along? As nice it may sound, it may be an easy out for us.
We live in a world that is hard and frustrating to get along with other people. Ever since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden God has promised living on earth will be hard. There will be nothing achieved on earth without sweat and toil on the part of those working to maintain life. When you have people sweating and toiling side by side tension will run high. Anger will present itself. People will argue. People will not always get along.
But what if we could get along? If we could all get along here on earth it may be our downfall. We may just get big heads and say look at what we have done. We will pat ourselves on the back and give big awards for our efforts and give ourselves so much praise we would think we had arrived on our own strength. We would eventually push out God in our lives.
We will someday be able to get along, but that will be when Jesus calls God’s children home for eternity. It is that hope of one day which should drive us to look to God for our strength to live out each day here on earth. It is only by His strength we can face those who make our day frustrating.
Paul writes to the Romans telling them to remain diligent in prayer and to love each other. Bless those who persecute you, and to return evil with love, and to be at peace with all men. Above all let God have the revenge, for it alone is God’s to wrath on those He created. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
Jesus is talking to the people about judgment day. Jesus talks about the separation of the sheep and the goats; the righteous and unrighteous. They will be judged on how they had interacted with other people. Those who tried to get along and take care of those who did not have food or clothing verses those who only thought about themselves. Those who displayed love and care will be considered righteous, and those who did the opposite will be considered unrighteous. Their actions on earth determine their future in eternity.
It would be nice if we all could get along, but we know while we still live here on earth that will not happen. It is only going to be through God’s strength and the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us we will be able to love those who give us those frustrating times. It is only by God’s strength and the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us we will be able to bless them, feed them, and clothe them. It is only by God’s strength and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us we can have the reassurance we will get along in heaven for eternity.
“Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in holy array. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord ; is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord hews out flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the deer to calve and strips the forests bare; and in His temple everything says, “Glory!” The Lord sat as King at the flood; yes, the Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29
Lord may we love in Your strength and may You find us righteous. Amen
Blessings,