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“Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with
what will you make it salty again? Have salt in
yourselves, and be at peace with each other" Mark
9:50.(NASB)
The most significant event in the history had just taken
place. God became man. The herald was bringing the good
news of the incarnation of the Son of God on earth to
the shepherds. A host of angels celebrated the occasion
by singing. And, there echoed the carol "Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He
is pleased". 'Peace among men' is one of the promises
fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Futile is one's faith in
Jesus that doesn't grasp the message of love and
forgiveness through Him.
Ironically, the most lacking element in the society is
peace with each other irrespective of 'whom He is
pleased' with or not. The true spirit of brotherhood is
fading in our society; we are classified and segregated
into water-tight boxes. Pretension and pride of life
have raised barriers between friends and relatives.
Corruption, atrocities and exploitation have enhanced
hostility between authorities and subjects.
High-handedness of the 'money power' and 'muscle power'
have bred bitterness and protest in the hearts of the
underprivileged. Atrocities by husbands on wives and
vice-versa through generations produced dysfunctional
families and further hatred among children. Building up
one's own 'kingdoms' have separated children of God into
different denominations and organisations.
The messengers of the Gospel have a vital role to play
during these days by standing in the gap and by
repairing the breaches. "Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the sons of God". Matt. 5:9.
The sons of God are peace lovers and peacemakers. That's
what God wants from us.
Here's a story I read recently.
There were two brothers who lived on adjoining farms.
They fell into a conflict. It was the first serious rift
in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery,
and trading labour and goods as needed without a hitch.
Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a
small misunderstanding and it grew into a major
difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of
bitter words followed by weeks of silence.
One morning there was a knock on the older brother's
door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's
toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work" he said.
"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there
I could help with? Could I help you?"
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you.
Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbour,
in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a
meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river
levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may
have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better.
See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build
me a fence - - an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see
his place or his face anymore."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation.
Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be
able to do a job that pleases you."
The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the
carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off
for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day
measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer
returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The
farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no
fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge
stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A
fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the
neighbour, his younger brother, was coming across, his
hand outstretched.
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all
I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end
of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking
each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter
hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few
days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the
older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter
said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."
Paul says,"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things
have come. Now all these things are from God, who
reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the
ministry of reconciliation". 2 Cor. 5:17-18.
Let 2010 be a bridge-building year for each one of us.
Wish you a blessed and fruitful new year.
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