Answer or Cause?

S - Acts 15:36, 38, 39 (ESV): "And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. … "

O - Compare the beginning of the journey above with the one recorded earlier in Acts. "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off(Acts 13:2, 3 ESV)."The difference in these two beginnings demonstrates how the mission wants to divide us. This return visit was so important to Paul he was willing to separate from Barnabas and John Mark. Jesus prayed that this would not happen (“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17:20, 21 ESV). Jesus won't separate himself from Judas. He won't refuse to wash Judas' feet or have him eat with him at his last Passover meal. This dynamic between Paul and Barnabas has inspired a ton of division and religious bigotry since Jesus prayed. We think the mission is so important (most important)and Jesus thinks the persons are. For a change, what if we were an answer to the prayer of Jesus instead of the cause of it?

A - I'm learning, seeing, thinking about the three things that want to divide and do divide those who claim to be following Jesus. Money, mission and method are the three. It's not that his followers don't and won't engage these; it's how they will and what place they will be given in what is thought to be most important. Jesus has already established that which is most important; the superlative; the greatest. It is how he was sent, how he lived and how he instructs all who follow him to live. Today, while it is called today, I will embrace Jesus and his instruction. Nothing is more important than loving God and loving others … NOTHING!

P - Lord who prayed and prays for us,

I want to be an answer to your garden prayer and no longer a cause of it. Thank you for speaking and living so plainly in this and every regard. I admit that nothing is more important to you than people. They are who you love, why you came and why you'll come again. I accept my purpose for living, for every day … loving you back and loving my neighbor as myself. I choose this and you empower it.

Unto the life that is really life,

Steve