Build a Bridge Not a Case
By Stovall's Blog
Proverbs 18:2 (NKJV)
A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.
Too many times in the body of Christ we are so caught up in our preferences and our opinions.
We think things should be done a different way (our way) because surely our way is the only way and right way and the best way — and in all of our “being right” we fail to be like Jesus. We build our “case” instead of building a “bridge.”
If there was ever a person who was right it was Jesus. Yet Jesus came not to be “right” but to reconcile us to himself. He was a bridge builder. He built a bridge between man and God. He made himself of no reputation and served others so that the kingdom of God could prevail (check out Philippians 2:5-11).
Christ has called us to be peacemakers, not case makers.
If you want to be used by God stop building your case and start building some bridges. Here are some important things to remember in building bridges in the church and the body of Christ —
- Be humble before God and truly seek the best for others.
- Your viewpoint is just that — a viewpoint, not THE viewpoint.
- Don’t be jealous of other people’s success.
- Listen and find the good and positive in every situation.
- Honor your leaders and respect their office.
- Avoid negative people who are constantly airing their opinions
- Never gossip.
- Try to see the big picture. The goal is more important than the role.
- Ministry it is not about your personal preferences but about advancing the kingdom of God.
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4 Responses to “Build a Bridge Not a Case”
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what’s up my man just checking in with you to read some inspiring word that the spirit of God through jesus christ the lion of the tribe of judea laid on your heart i love it you have to stay humble and have that essence of love. keep up the good work. Grace and peace! love 4ever
Jason Borek, who helps to lead your parking ministry at the Deerwood Campus, referred me to this Blog post and it indeed is an awesome and timely message for those of us who sometimes get carried away with heated theological arguments, such as Calvinism vs. Arminianism.
Sincerely,
Richard Coords
Thank you Pastor. This was a really good word, one I hope we all can pattern our lives after.
I think it is healthy and necessary to question the why behind the what, if we will then support it whole heartedly once we get an answer that satisfies our concerns.
It is human nature to question why, to investigate deeply or study to show ourselves approved, to try to understand every detail of what God has in store for us.
It’s part of making sure we don’t get taken advantage of since most of us have felt duped or betrayed by an authority figure in our past.
Truthfully, it isn’t very easy for most people to 100% trust God, much less imperfect humans who have the capacity to really offend or hurt people. This is especially true in a church setting where there is much vulnerability and already hurting people.
It happened to the greats in the Bible such as Moses, Noah, Job, Saul, David, Paul, Nicodemus, Mary & Martha, Peter, James, John. None of which blindly believed what God told them without some pushback or wanted to know why.
While we humans look for the best in our leaders for the most part, part of us still thinks we have the ‘right’ to know as much as we want to about whatever situations we encounter.
Yet one more reason to look forward to heaven- there we will have freedom from any more worries or concerns about whether our best interests are really in mind.
Keep up the great work, your insights from God continue to help to transform peoples’ lives !
Dear Stovall,
This is one of the most important points in all of Christian life….I couldn’t agree with you more! Over the last couple of years God has revealed a truth to me that I wish I had known all my life:
To put it in your metaphor of bridges, you cannot build a bridge at the same time as you’re tearing another one down! I grew up (and am still deeply embedded) in a highly disfunctional environment. Any semblance of Scriptural reference in our daily lives seemed to be a weapon directed against another person, rather than as a bridge to God’s healing and wholeness, peace and love.
One day God woke me up to the fact that I wasn’t going to further His Kingdom, much less my path to Eternity! as long as I was applying almost every scripture I read to another person who I though SO needed it…….. I realized that day that those scriptures applied so much to ME, that God and I had our hands full fixing me, let alone other people I thought needed fixing!!!
It’s so easy to read a passage in the Bible and immediately think, “Wow, he or she really needs to listen to this…. that would show them how wrong they are….” Then you email it to them!
How much more we are blessed by God in our ministry when we apply the standard of Scripture to ourselves in a positive manner of improvement and then live it out as a model for others!!!
Being at Celebration has taught me a completely different perspective on the Bible: that it is a Love Letter from God, rather than a collection of impossible standards that other people and I think I am completely unable to meet.
Thanks Stovall, and Kerri too. You are such a blessing to us all. God Bless you both!
XXX
Kate