Bridge Building

Have you ever been in a check-out line and witnessed 2 people who are angrily hurling words at each other like weapons. Most of us just want to turn away or run from observing their conflict...it's uncomfortable...it's embarrassing. We might even think, "I'm glad that's not me in that argument. Maybe what I'm dealing with isn't that bad after all." 
Sadly, this illustrates the very picture we give the world when we, as Christians, publically spar and jab each other...and yes, hurl words like weapons, when we disagree on things publically~ESPECIALLY on social media and the internet. 
I have a father who is a Presbyterian minister, a brother who is an Episcopal priest and I am in a Southern Baptist seminary and a member of a non-denominational church. So, obviously I am not saying that I think all faith-filled, Christ loving believers have to agree on everything. I am very thankful that my "Heinz 57" family can be together, enjoy each other's company and even have loving, humble discussions on topics of faith privately and face to face. But that is the point: 
AS CHRISTIANS, WE NEED TO DISCUSS OUR DIFFERENCES PRIVATELY AND IF AT ALL POSSIBLE FACE TO FACE AND WE NEED TO RESPECT THE OTHER PERSONS INTERPRETATIONS EVEN IF WE CHOOSE TO HUMBLY DISAGREE. 

WE MUST STOP FEEDING EACH OTHER TO THE LIONS.

LET'S BE BRIDGE BUILDERS, NOT BRIDGE BURNERS.

Hidden behind the shield of our computor screens, we forget that every insult, every harsh word and even just the petty nature of so much of it all is weakening the power of our witness to each and every hurting and lost person who reads it. Perhaps they look at us and think, "I'm glad that's not me in that argument. Maybe what I'm dealing with isn't that bad after all." And they turn away...
And this was Christ's prayer, just before He was arrested, for all of us who call ourselves Christ followers:
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be ONE as we are ONE: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete UNITY to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."