Week 39
Quarrel
The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2 Timothy 2:24
Once when I was working on a ship, the German captain and the second officer started quarreling in the dining room regarding work issues. They were shouting at each other, pointing fingers, and slamming the dining table. Then they walked out of the room in heated anger. The employees wondered what would happen next. But, in the evening party, we found these two bosses engaging in laughter as if they had never fought that morning. Although they disagreed on some issues, they neither held grudges nor caused disruption or division. The work on the ship continued properly. More often than not, quarrels occur as a result of trivial issues, which we make out to be larger than what they really are because of our pride. Our Karen leaders and church leaders should work together with humility and understanding in our disagreement. As human beings, we are fallen and we engage in quarreling. However, with humility, forgiveness, and understanding, we can build each other up, bless each other, and preserve peace and unity.
Dear God, please give us wisdom, shrewdness, and understanding to refrain from quarreling and causing division. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.