Gentle Reader,
Obligatory reminder that there is a Facebook page for this blog. If you click on this link and “like” the page, you’re truly helping out a sister. Also, if you would like to review any of the books I’ve written, drop me a note via the contact page and I’ll send you one – for free.
Okay. That’s done.
Goodness I loathe the business side of writing.
Anyone want to do that for me?
I’ll pay you in cookies.
Kate says: agree.
Go.
My Bible study group is currently going through the book of Ruth. We spent several weeks in Judges, which is just an unpleasant mess of increasing weirdness, so it’s nice to take a little breather and dwell in a story that has a happy ending.
Last night our discussion centered around the concept of community, something we all long for but is always challenging. When we think of community, we often think of people with whom we will always agree. A place of perfect harmony. Unicorns, rainbows and fluffy white clouds.
Except…we’re human. That humanity…makes us all a little stupid and often harsh.
The words of the prophet are easily, flippantly quoted:
Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
– Amos 3:3 (NKJV)
They’re true words. Two people can’t walk together if they aren’t agreed on what path to take. But we run with the words, assigning them a meaning that they don’t have. Uniformity instead of unity. Always smiling, no matter how falsely. Stepford People, never dealing with anything, never allowing the masks to slip, never asking the questions.
To build authentic community, we must hold onto and practice a phrase that is fading fast in the world at large: agree to disagree. Yes, we must all be heading the same direction. Yes, there are important issues of theology and doctrine that cannot be compromised. No, we are not all exactly alike. No, we won’t all have the same views on every issue.
There is a step further still to go.
The community of faith must first agree with God in order to allow space for the wrestling, the doubting and the struggles. The bulk of the New Testament bears witness to the fact that there has never been (and never will be) a perfect church this side of eternity. We bounce off of each other, whack each other with the sharp points and sometimes just don’t plain get along. It’s important that we agree with God that we are His people, purchased by His blood – and work through the disagreements, with the ones who drive us so crazy. He brought us together out of His loving kindness and care for the world, to whom we are to be witnessing.
A safe community agrees on the vision and wrestles through the details.
If we refuse to wrestle, and worse yet reject each other, we miss out on so much.
Stop.
“A safe community agrees on the vision and wrestles through the details.” Yes! Wise words here, Marie! So glad you are one who is willing to wrestle for the sake of the gospel.
LikeLike
Thanks, Kate! I’m glad that you’re here for us, week after week, encouraging us to think and create, to use our gifts for the glory of God. 🙂
LikeLike
Marie, we touched on some similar themes, especially that of authenticity and community. Yes, we need to allow room for people to hold their own thoughts and values and not condemn them when said thoughts and values are different. Having the same vision and the freedom to grapple with and bring it to fruition in different ways is so important.
Well spoken, friend!
LikeLike
Often I think that most disagreements boil down to differences in how to solve problems. We can agree that the problem is there, but our ideas on how to solve the problem are all over the place. We get so wedded to those ideas that we stop listening. If we could just slow down and remember that God has us in each other’s lives for a reason, maybe we could avoid some heartache.
LikeLike
Well-said, Marie. In a world in which tolerance is assumed to mean approval, it’s hard to maintain good-hearted disagreement.
LikeLike
It is hard. I’m glad that God doesn’t leave us to try and figure it out on our own.
LikeLike
I agree: The wrestling, as when before Esau and Jacob came together, Jacob was broken so he could so he could come in humility to Esau, who only had good for Jacob. Many times there needs to be a broken-ness so there can be an agreement.
LikeLike
That’s such a great angle, Leslie! I’ve never really thought about Jacob and Esau that way. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thought was borrowed from message our pastor brought on the need for us to be broken . . .
LikeLike
I definitely agree! Well said, Marie.
LikeLike
Thanks, Debby!
LikeLike
“The community of faith must first agree with God” Yes! Love that. Blessings to you from FMF. 🙂
LikeLike
Blessings to you, too, Rebekah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely agree with this! 🙂 Our thoughts were similar today!
LikeLike
I love when several of us head the same direction with the prompt. If that’s not a display of the Holy Spirit’s ability to unite, I don’t know what is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true – when we agree with God – and have an agreed foundation – then there is room for the wrestling. And the individual. Sounds like a great Bible study you are having…..
LikeLike
Yes, that foundation is so important! When we agree on that, then we have the freedom to be what God designed us to be.
LikeLike
a thought-provoking post. thank you.
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Lila!
LikeLike
Yes!
LikeLike
❤
LikeLike
I really like this “A safe community agrees on the vision and wrestles through the details”
Great and to the point words here.
LikeLike
Thanks, Somer!
LikeLike
Marie, we share a passion (and a theme for the word “agree.”) “It’s important that we agree with God that we are His people, purchased by His blood – and work through the disagreements, with the ones who drive us so crazy. He brought us together out of His loving kindness and care for the world, to whom we are to be witnessing.” Truth.
LikeLike