Having a Heart in a Sometimes Heartless World
Day 240 - Cliques
Scripture focus: It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: …small-minded and lopsided pursuits… Galatians 5:19-20 The Message
I read an article in the paper today that basically said, “Birds of a feather flock together.” The editorialist went on to discuss the merits of this supposition. Paul actually considers this kind of flocking an indicator of a person trying to get their own way all the time. I think he’s right. It’s easy to feel comfortable with our own personal perspectives when we don’t have anyone offering push back to our firmly held convictions. It’s more comfortable hanging out with people “like us,” isn’t it? All comfort aside – Paul puts it on his list of villainous works of independent living.
The word Paul uses to describe “cliquishness” is the Greek word hairesis. This word refers to a form of spiritual elitism, where a group of people adhere to the same doctrine and are exclusive, unwelcoming, and divisive. They’re the kind of people who ask, “Do you believe what I believe? If you do, then you can belong in my group. If not, forget it buster!” Consider a different perspective, one that is counter to a clique mentality. What if we asked this question, “Do you and I share a common objective? If so, let’s collaborate! If we’re passionate about the same things, even if we disagree on a point or two along the way, can’t we get together and learn from one another?” This frame of reference invites people to unite and belong, and then, in the safety of community, discuss what they’re “coming to believe.” Which way is easier? The first is obviously the easier choice. But who says desperately devoted followers of God need an easy button? God’s people have taken the road less traveled from the beginning. There’s a proverb that says, “As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another.” Very little sharpening is required if all those gathered always agree. No one rubs another the wrong way, or says something that challenges firmly held (and often misguided) beliefs.
Our NorthStar Community is a wild and crazy bunch of diverse people. We come in all sizes, shapes and colors. We come for a variety of reasons and stay when it doesn’t always make sense to do so. Some of us have named our higher power, and others still question whether there is one. A few of us have financial security and more of us aren’t quite sure where our next meal will come from. Trust me on this one – we all have lots of opinions about lots of different aspects of our community – and we can’t form much of a consensus on many of the topics of discussion. But here’s the deal – I believe with all my heart that this delights the Father. We’ve been collecting supplies for a treatment facility in our area and an argument broke out about this collection process. Some of the guys who attend our service didn’t want to wait to have the supplies distributed back at the facility – they wanted to take their share out of the collection basket. Heated discussion and some confusion resulted. I listened from afar as the men who were feeling cheated made their case, and I smiled with delight as compromise was reached. Those guys were listened to. They didn’t get agreement but they received loving attention. And even though we still had a celebration service to experience and I had a message to deliver – I had a sneaking suspicion that the work of God had already been accomplished on this day. No cliques formed. No one got bogged down in who was right and who was wrong. Instead, they paused to prepare. They considered the question: what would it look like to act in love – with kindness and dignity and respect – to all parties involved in this minor dispute. I sensed the angels dancing as they peaked over the precipice of eternity. It was a good day in the house of the Lord.
I read an article in the paper today that basically said, “Birds of a feather flock together.” The editorialist went on to discuss the merits of this supposition. Paul actually considers this kind of flocking an indicator of a person trying to get their own way all the time. I think he’s right. It’s easy to feel comfortable with our own personal perspectives when we don’t have anyone offering push back to our firmly held convictions. It’s more comfortable hanging out with people “like us,” isn’t it? All comfort aside – Paul puts it on his list of villainous works of independent living.
The word Paul uses to describe “cliquishness” is the Greek word hairesis. This word refers to a form of spiritual elitism, where a group of people adhere to the same doctrine and are exclusive, unwelcoming, and divisive. They’re the kind of people who ask, “Do you believe what I believe? If you do, then you can belong in my group. If not, forget it buster!” Consider a different perspective, one that is counter to a clique mentality. What if we asked this question, “Do you and I share a common objective? If so, let’s collaborate! If we’re passionate about the same things, even if we disagree on a point or two along the way, can’t we get together and learn from one another?” This frame of reference invites people to unite and belong, and then, in the safety of community, discuss what they’re “coming to believe.” Which way is easier? The first is obviously the easier choice. But who says desperately devoted followers of God need an easy button? God’s people have taken the road less traveled from the beginning. There’s a proverb that says, “As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another.” Very little sharpening is required if all those gathered always agree. No one rubs another the wrong way, or says something that challenges firmly held (and often misguided) beliefs.
Our NorthStar Community is a wild and crazy bunch of diverse people. We come in all sizes, shapes and colors. We come for a variety of reasons and stay when it doesn’t always make sense to do so. Some of us have named our higher power, and others still question whether there is one. A few of us have financial security and more of us aren’t quite sure where our next meal will come from. Trust me on this one – we all have lots of opinions about lots of different aspects of our community – and we can’t form much of a consensus on many of the topics of discussion. But here’s the deal – I believe with all my heart that this delights the Father. We’ve been collecting supplies for a treatment facility in our area and an argument broke out about this collection process. Some of the guys who attend our service didn’t want to wait to have the supplies distributed back at the facility – they wanted to take their share out of the collection basket. Heated discussion and some confusion resulted. I listened from afar as the men who were feeling cheated made their case, and I smiled with delight as compromise was reached. Those guys were listened to. They didn’t get agreement but they received loving attention. And even though we still had a celebration service to experience and I had a message to deliver – I had a sneaking suspicion that the work of God had already been accomplished on this day. No cliques formed. No one got bogged down in who was right and who was wrong. Instead, they paused to prepare. They considered the question: what would it look like to act in love – with kindness and dignity and respect – to all parties involved in this minor dispute. I sensed the angels dancing as they peaked over the precipice of eternity. It was a good day in the house of the Lord.
Recommended reading: Job 23 and 24 in the morning; Job 25 and 26 in the evening
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