Can't We All Just Get Along? – 2 Thessalonians 3:16

16 May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!
– 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (The Message)

Can't We All Just Get Along?
Are there people in your life who seem to just get under your skin? How about people who make your skin crawl just thinking about them? You've probably come up with all kinds of creative ways to avoid contact with these people and on the occasion when interaction is unavoidable, you do your best to grin and bear it (or at least you make a half-hearted attempt at it).

We all have people like that in our lives. God, in His infinite wisdom (and sense of humor), created us all as opposites. No one is exactly the same, and no one has the exact same tastes in music, food, fashion, sports, entertainment, etc., etc. Even when we find someone who likes the same things we do, we end up liking different aspects of the very things that we have in common. It's unavoidable, it's not debatable, it's just the way it is.

So understanding that we are all different, what is it that makes us have such strongly opposing feelings about those certain someones whose differences drive us crazy? Sometimes, we don't even know what it is that we don't like, we just know that we don't like them. It's kinda crazy if you think about it. It's a little bit like brussels sprouts . . . some people love them, and the people that don't have probably only tried them once and have never given them a chance since. That's how I was, but I decided to give them a chance; I found a recipe that looked promising, prepared them a little differently, and now I really enjoy brussels sprouts. I took the steps to change my own mind about something that I used to gag at the thought of, and all it took was a little effort and a willingness to try.

Maybe the next time you have to sit next to, or with, or across from, that person who just always finds a way to ruin your day, ask the Master of Peace to give you a new recipe – a new preparation of your heart; a new attitude, mixed with a little bit of His love, throw in a dash of patience, and a pinch of kindness, and make the effort to get along. Who knows, you might just find a new BFF. And even better, the other person in the room, you know, the one who secretly can't stand you but puts on a good face in your presence (ouch!), will see you differently too because of your new attitude, and EVERYONE will start getting along better!

Peace . . . it's a gift from the Master! Let's all unwrap and open His gift today and see how pleasant His present can be, no matter who we're with.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your Peace! Thank You for reminding me that it's our differences that make us the same and that if I just focus on You, then I will find Peace with those whom I couldn't get along with before.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard