A Word From Our President
"Not Always What It Seems"
I am reading a book I received for Christmas written by a 16 year old Irish girl about her journey into Mathematics. She was named Ireland's Young Scientist of the Year in 1999 for her extraordinary research and discoveries in Internet cryptography. Though I am early in the book (I have to work through her challenges and puzzles as I go), I am impressed by her style and insights into the world around her. The young girl's interest in mathematics began by working with math puzzles. She cites an early revelation into one of life's truths: Don't jump to conclusions! She uses the following as an example:
If Laurie, Noel, and Jeanne run a 10-meter dash, each running at a uniform speed throughout, and if Laurie beats Noel by 10 meters and Noel beats Jeanne by 10 meters, by how much does Laurie beat Jeanne?
By the way, the answer is not 20 meters. That would seem to be the obvious response. See me if you need the answer after having thought it through. In any event, what does this have to do with Family of Christ? Well, let's explore this life lesson.
Churches, large and small, are made up of God's people, each and everyone being unique and special in their own way. Each of us comes from a different set of circumstances and life experiences, thus having developed a different perspective on life. It will be natural that people in this environment will have differences. We all want to do the Lord's work but under the stress of the day, we may not all agree on how best to accomplish that goal. The year 2008 may well be one of some stress for us at Family of Christ as we work through plans on how to grow and thrive as a mission congregation. This stress will lead to differences. Differences will lead to conflict. What needs to set us apart as Christians is how we will choose to deal with conflict.
We must be sure not to jump to conclusions. Things are not always as they may first seem. Always try to understand where your brother/sister is coming from to help you to understand where they are heading. Christ has given us direction on dealing with differences. He looks for us to work out our differences directly with our fellow Christians, not via e-mail, text messages, letter, or by phone, just good old-fashion face-to-face discussion with prayer and God's presence.
If you take your gift to the altar and remember your brother has something against you, leave your gift on the altar. Go and make right what is wrong between you and him. Then come back and give your gift. Matthew 5:23-24.
As stated earlier, 2008 will present its challenges to our congregation but with challenge comes great potential reward with God's help. We will have plenty of puzzles to solve and the answers may not always be clear. We will say and do things with the best intentions, we will make mistakes, we will laugh together and cry together. The key is that we move forward together in God's work, wherever He might lead us.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Tim Block
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