This is our B moment. Our moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.
Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (ESV)
Today, I am thinking about how we can disagree, but how we can do so in love and humility.
Not long ago, I read from the book of Acts about Paul’s three missionary journeys. On the first journey, he took Barnabas and John Mark with him. Yet by the end of the first journey, there was a sharp dispute.
John Mark had decided to leave the first journey midway through, but then wanted to rejoin Paul and Barnabas as they planned for their second journey.
Paul was dead set against it. He didn’t want to risk losing momentum on the second journey like they had on the first one. Meanwhile, Barnabas saw things differently. He wanted to give John Mark a second chance.
Paul was more focused on the purpose while Barnabas was more focused on the person.
In the end, they parted ways—but not in bitterness. We know this to be true because Paul later went on to refer to Barnabas and John Mark in Colossians and in 2 Timothy.
Although Paul and Barnabas chose to disagree, they did so in love and humility. In that way, their dispute did not become a distraction.
Is there an unresolved dispute distracting you today? If so, let me warmly remind you of these words: “Love is patient and kind…it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way…it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (ESV)
Please share this reflection as others desire to be inspired.
So today, if you disagree, do so in truth, love, and humility.
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