Scripture
Acts 15:2,4
“This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.”
“When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.”
Observation
The church in Antioch had been thrown into an uproar by legalistic men who wanted to put requirements on them which Paul had not taught them. Paul and Barnabas traveled to Jerusalem to speak with the apostles and elders about the disagreement which had risen. The elders and apostles welcomed them, even through they were bringing a conflict and a difficult conversation. Instead of avoiding the difficult conversations, the apostles and elders leaned into the tension and welcomed the conversation, recognizing that it was an opportunity to develop deeper unity and communication.
Application
Like the early church, I will face tension, conflict, and disagreement in life today. It’s just part of the journey. Instead of avoiding hard conversations, I need to welcome them as an opportunity to grow into deeper unity and understanding. Like Paul and Barnabas, I need to initiate the difficult conversations when I am aware of conflict or tension–and like the apostles and elders, I need to be grateful for people who initiate hard conversations with me–because these are the moments when we can intentionally step forward, or else carelessly slide into disunity.
Prayer
God, thank you for courage to initiate hard conversations! Help me to embrace them as an opportunity to grow in unity, and grow more like you. Help me to welcome and value people in my life who bring conflict to my attention in a Godly way, and always see them as a gift from you.
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