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A tale from China relates that two hunters saw a wild goose fly overhead. As one of the hunters placed an arrow in his bow and aimed it at the goose, he spoke, "That goose will make a fine stew." "Stew!" said the other. "It would be much better to roast it." "Stewed!" fumed the first, putting down his arrow. "Roasted!" argued back the other. The fuss went on. They decided to let the clan leader decide the best way to cook that goose. The leader settled the argument by suggesting that when they caught the goose, half should be stewed and half roasted. In that way everyone's needs would be met. Pleased, the two hunters went out to shoot the wild goose. But, by that time the goose was safely long gone.
14Try to live at peace with everyone! Live a clean life. If you don't, you will never see the Lord. 15Make sure that no one misses out on God's wonderful kindness. Don't let anyone become bitter and cause trouble for the rest of you. 16Watch out for immoral and ungodly people like Esau, who sold his future blessing for only one meal (Hebrews 12.14-16, CEV).
Bitterness delays much good, poisoning community. This refusal to live at peace diverts from sharing with each other "God's wonderful kindness." How can a community enjoy "God's wonderful kindness," if it refuses kindness to each other? How can a community be a witness to "God's wonderful kindness," if it lives in bitterness among its members?
My favorite part of the Sunday ritual is "Sharing the Peace." Without a serious commitment to true peace, not just tolerance, a congregation may be a group of religious people, but it will not be a Christian community.
PROVERBS 17.14 (NLT)
Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
*OneLife writings are offered by Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist pastor serving in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. Brian lives a vowed contemplative life with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis, in North Florida. OneLife writings are for anyone seeking to live and share love, joy, and peace in the world and in devotion to God as she or he best understands God.
The Peace of Christ to All!
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