Slideshow image

We live in a divided world. There's no escape from that. We could try pointing to a number of different factors that led us to where we are now - you've probably heard enough short-history-versions of getting from the invention of the printing press to the rise of social media! But how we got here, while interesting, doesn't always do anything for us. What are we supposed to do when outside forces are working to divide us across any line that can be dreamed up, whether age, where we live, learning style, functional pockets in women's clothing - ahem, sorry.  

What do we do with this? Bridge the gap. Ask questions. Reach out and help someone. Right now at Covenant Grove, we are going through a sermon series on supply lines. Have you looked around your inner circle to make sure you have voices speaking into your life that don't line up with yours exactly? We need support, not an echo chamber. Did you know that your supply line people don't necessarily have to belong to your age range? Can I, as a Millennial, find support in relationship with a Boomer?? When phrased that way, the answer seems obvious - of course! But Millennials and Boomers have been pitted against each other over and over for years now, and at any age or in any group of people we're more likely to "circle the wagons" than invite in outsiders. So how can that work? Well, one of us has to reach out first and bridge the gap. I actually try to specifically make sure I have people in my inner circle in different life stages than me. Side note - it can be a little harder to have someone younger in a supportive role in your life, but it's not impossible!  

An important part of building a bridge is the foundation. Have you dug through the whys and hows of your thinking or lifestyle so that you understand the foundation? For me, I know I'm going to question anything that I think sounds like "conformity" by default. (Again, we could look at a number of factors that led there, but that's not the "why" I'm interested in right now.) If I'm following a train of thought and hear what sounds like someone else, I immediately start questioning the entire railroad. This can be an unexpected trap! If I'm always questioning, my foundation doesn't have a chance to become firm. I hear that's an important consideration in building (Matthew 7:24-27)... On the other hand, if I just go along with what others are saying, that's not a firm foundation either! So if we can't be constantly questioning everything, and we can't just always go with the flow, how do we have a firm foundation? How do we bridge the gap?  

With Jesus. He is our Rock! He is our salvation from the sandy anthills that we so often try to build on. He saves us from over-hype, from complacency, and from divisiveness. Do we live in a divided world? Yes. But! We are not of this world! As followers of Christ, we do not thrive on disharmony. When we give our lives to Jesus, we are inviting in the only power that can give us the strength needed to resist the unhealth of the world around us. We live as united people - united by the One who created each of us, knows every intimate detail of our lives, and can see the enormity of how our lives fit into His perfect plan.  

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. Galatians 3:26-29   

Comments for this post are now off.