ROMANS 16:17

 “I urge you, l brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.  Keep away from them.”

TO PONDER

“Keep away from them”. Hmmm, from the people causing divisions?   Or the divisions and obstacles themselves?   That’s worth examining.   Separating ourselves from others, particularly if we share faith with them, can be an act of fear or judgement and hinders resolution of hurts and blame.   And sometimes it is a necessary thing to do.

And yet, to love that person, or group of people, and stand firm and say 'no' peaceably to the divisions and obstacles they present,  that is an act of strength, and can open the way to resolution and peace.   Either way, we need to be sure that we are acting in love and compassion, with patience and quiet perseverance, and accept that there may be more than one way to look at a situation or problem.  

And of course, we need to self examine to see if,  in fact, it is ‘me’  that is causing the division, and I am the problem, not ‘them’.  Now isn’t that a scary thought for the day! 

PRAYER: Jesus you know our hearts like no other.  Show us our divisions and obstacles, help us to live with compassion and grace, be merciful to us and may we pass that mercy on to others, and our own selves.   Amen 

Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.