Easy Does It part 3
Its ok to disagree. In fact, I won't argue with people. I simply agree to disagree. If you don't want to pick up what I'm laying down... that's ok with me. I have no interest in forcing my beliefs--about anything--on anybody. I'd rather take it easy. Because easy does it. And guess what else: just because we don't agree on something, that doesn't mean we can't get along. In that case, in most cases, its about finding common ground. Finding something we CAN agree on. And, listen, if the thing we disagree on is--for example--drinking, let's say. You drink, I don't. That's ok. I'm not going to try to convince you that I'm right and you're wrong. But I'm not going to go to the bar with you either. I'm not going to buy booze for you. I'm not going to enable you. I can still love you. Still fellowship with you. And at the same time I can still stay true to my own beliefs. That's ok. You don't have to compromise your values, or who you are. You can, and should, always stay true to yourself. That's important. And even in relationships, where compromise is so vitally important, you don't have to give up who you are. You can go out of your way to accomodate people. Yes. Look at 1 Corinthians 8:13, "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." If what we do will cause someone else to stumble... then its not worth it to do it. Because people are more important. People are more important than what you want to eat. In fact, I've long said there are only two things that ARE truly important; God and people. Love God and love people. Love God BY loving people. And if you love someone, you will do whatever you can to keep them from stumbling. You will go out of your way to try to help them. But I gotta say, condemnation has never helped anybody. Ever. Even the girl caught in adultery. Jesus didn't condemn here, and that grace equipped and empowered her to go out and sin no more. It wasn't Jesus telling her what was wrong with her. It was Jesus telling her what was RIGHT with her. So, like the title of this Rant series says, "Easy does it." Take it easy on people. Help where you can, but make sure you're not hurting whatever you do. Sometimes less is more. If you can't get involved without making things worse... don't get involved. Not everything is for you. Not everything is your business. You can't fix everything. Sometimes you need to just let go and let God. Love people, yes. But sometimes the best you can do is love people from a distance. Taking it easy means taking it easy ON people... AND it means taking it easy WITH people. There are some people that I can't be around. It wouldn't be good for anybody. So rather than trying to force the issue, I just let sleeping dogs lie. I don't see any reason to poke the bear. I prefer to avoid confrontation. And sometimes its unavoidable. But I think it best to go out of my way to do my part so that things can stay on an even keel. Don't rock the boat, unless you're ready to go for a swim. Be cool, as much as its in your power to be cool. Easy... easy does it.