“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” - Romans 14:19 (NIV)
There are many things I’d rather do in this world than go listen to someone play the harp. However, a few years ago when I lived in Lander, WY, I had season tickets to the concerts put on by the local arts group. Being a bit “Scotch” I wasn’t going to waste my money, so I attended this concert with Carrol McLaughlin as the harpist. I went with my own idea of what the concert would be like. I mean, what more are you going to hear from a harp than strummed or plucked classical music?
Let me tell you this lady can make a harp do what harps can’t do! She played, Jazz Band, Take the A Train, The Entertainer, among others, as well as beautiful classical numbers and for the ovation played 12th Street Rag. Talk about dashing one’s preconceived ideas about harps… I’m very glad I attended.
Isn’t that how we so often treat our fellow Christians? We know them, or so we think, and we do very little about really knowing them. We have neither sought to find out more about them on a personal level, nor have we come to realize the many gifts and abilities God may have given them. And for some reason, based on our ignorance of the person we form opinions and prejudices about them that are inaccurate, unjust and just plain wrong.
If we are to build up, if we are to edify one another, we must be willing to invest the time and effort that will enable us to discover those things about others that can be positive and affirming. Perhaps we need to spend more time in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Even though I did make the effort to attend the concert and I “knew” just what it would be like, I was sure glad I attended. I now know the harp is a lot more than I ever thought, especially when played by a master. And I know that my fellow Christians have gifts and abilities beyond my knowledge, because their lives are in the hands of THE Master.
Prayer: Loving Lord, give us hearts burning with the desire to build up others. May we see in them what you see in them and have given them to use for your honor and glory. Amen.
Rev. Mark Jervis
Chair
Ministerial Leadership Committee (MLC) |
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