Bear with one another

Monday, September 19, 2011

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3).

We all have problems getting along with others. It is part of our selfish human nature. It can be seen in children and adults, men and women, rich and poor. Bearing with one another in love is one more God-desired fruit of the Spirit which we need the Lord’s help to do. Sometimes we also need reminders and encouragement from our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

In some ways, the Africans countries struggle with this to a great degree. We hear a lot about racism in our own country - but it is widely prevalent here in Africa as well. There is obvious racism against white people, but there is also racism against between various tribes - where one person thinks that they are better than someone else because they are from a different tribe. Even though our faith in Christ unites us as Paul says in Galatians 3:28 (“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”), the flesh still raises its ugly head against that unity and equality in Christ.

We met with two men today who have been working in the same village for many years as well as a couple others. A conflict has developed between them so this meeting was called to try to resolve the situation. It was clear that lines had already been drawn before everyone arrived. Accusations were made, tempers flared, but some ground was covered. It will not be resolved today, but we pray that it will be in the near future. How sad it is when the devil uses personal desires to hinder the work of Christ’s kingdom! We should all be aware of this in our own lives and pray for His help in striving against such attacks from the devil and our own flesh.

We also moved to a new “hotel” which was nicer, but cheaper then what we were paying at the place where the conference will be held. We are very happy with this new location, which is just a short walk from the Pastoral Conference venue. We are always looking for ways to cut costs and keep things as inexpensive as possible. We are staying in a single room, but which can sleep three. It is new and very comfortable.

A view of the inside of our new and cheaper "home away from home" in Moshi.

The rest of the day was spent in preparation for the Pastoral Conference which is just two days away now. Agenda were completed, papers prepared and printed, and accommodations readied. Tomorrow we will be visiting the school at Himo, so we will be gone for most of the day and in the afternoon Conference attendees will be arriving.

Lord, be with us and bless our work that You might be glorified in all things! Amen.

In the service of Christ,

Nathanael