Agreement and Disagreement

I have a long-time friend whose ideas seldom mesh with mine. In fact, over the years, there have been more subjects on which we disagreed than those on which we agreed. Yet I have learned from him, and I think he has learned from me. What a shame to think that we can only learn from those with whom we agree. It was Winston Churchill who reportedly said, “If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary.” When was the last time you read a book or an article by someone with whom you disagreed? When was the last time you listened to a sermon or lecture, delivered by someone with whom you differed? When was the last time you entertained an idea that, at least initially, seemed to be out of sync with your own thinking? If the truth we hold is not strong enough to stand the test of disagreement, we need stronger faith. So don’t panic when your beliefs are challenged by those whose thoughts differ from yours. Agree to disagree and move on. The greatest lesson I ever learned on the writing and recording of my thoughts was from a man whose thoughts differed greatly from mine on most subjects. The Bible says we are “members of one another” (Rom. 12:5). It does not say we are one another.

Join me in remembering these global concerns this week:
• Pray for the children’s camp in Slovakia with 50 kids pre-registered.
• Monday is the “International Day of Prayer for the Maltese Islands.”
• Pray for J and N as they adjust to a new place of service and a new language.
• Thank God for what is happening among the 750,000 people on Vancouver Island, Canada. Amazing answers to long-term prayers.
• Pray for Angie, who is in Uganda on a two week mission trip and for all who are participating in mission trips this week.
• We are in the midst of Ramadan. Pray for Muslims and those working with them.
• Pray for those who serve in Budapest, one of the centers for human-trafficking.