Acts 15:36-41
Reflect
Which is better: to advance in your pursuits, or to mature those you already have attained? To demonstrate faithfulness, or to establish new partnerships? Interestingly, today’s passage has Barnabas desiring to go to new regions with a previous partner, while Paul wants to return to previous locations with new people. This passage is woven together by some key character qualities. For sure, patience with young leaders is one. However, did you notice that the family of God advanced through a conflict? One author says that conflict is like a fire. It either burns and ravages, or it lights up the darkness to provide light. What has been your experience with conflict? There is no sense in trying to disregard it. It will search you out. How prepared are you to have conflict provide clarity and direction in your relationships? One acronym our family uses is CDCS, to provide the guard rails in our conflicts. When conflict surfaces, there is no criticism, defensiveness, contempt, or stonewalling. Sure, I’ve gone over the guard rails at times and reconciliation should always be central, but the only thing worse than conflict is passively avoiding one.
Apply
What default tools are you using in your conflicts?
Pastor Dan
Pray
- Pray for the Prime Minister, Premier Notley, Mayor Iveson, your MP, your MLA, and any other government officials God brings to mind.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth Ministry Pastor.
- Pray for our Daycare in its service to children and their families this week. Pray for the director, Kristy Thomas.
- Pray for Karen Alksne, our Congregational Life Intern.