Insulation - Part 2

In Search of the Gold!

Last week I addressed the inclination toward "insulation and isolation" as a believer.  The Church of the Lord Jesus is a wonderful family of believers.  As good as it is, it is still very much a family.  Like all families there are varying dynamics occurring within the family that is only seen and experienced "inside" the family.  In natural families we are shocked at times to learn that families that appeared from the outside looking in, to be a model, perfect family, were dysfunctional. Working with families in the church world I have come to the conclusion that all families are "dysfunctional"!  You might say, "wait a minute, my family isn't!"  One of the definitions of dysfunctional is: "not performing as expected".  I can tell you that on any given day, the most loving and committed families would be considered dysfunctional.  If we are truly honest all of us have had moments when we are glad our families lives weren't shown on a Reality Show! Confrontation is a normal part of relationship.  Actually, confrontation is a part of health and growth. The key is learning how to process confrontation, how to navigate the waters of confrontation and come out better and not bitter.  Every family has confrontation.  It happens in the home AND in the Church.  

In the Church we must learn that this confrontation often deals with idiosyncrasies.  Idiosyncrasy is described as peculiar or odd.  Of course they are peculiar or odd to the one who sees things from a differing point of view or perspective.  Maturity is coming to a place of allowing others and possibly even celebrating another person's "idiosyncrasy".  Some of the most brilliant minds in history were very odd people compared to their peers. Yet, we are very glad that some around them didn't drive them away.  All of us now enjoy many of their contributions.  We must learn to have confrontation without conflict.  

As leaders, one of the most critical aspects of Body Life within the Church is to get past confrontation and especially past conflict.  We must never allow past conflict to cripple us from dealing with future confrontation.  Again, confrontation is a healthy part of a developing family at home and in the Church.  Healthy confrontation is like mining out a gold nugget from a wall of mud and mire.  You will get dirty in the process. It takes a lot of work but understanding that we are working to the end of finding and enjoying the gold makes it a lot easier.