Solution Grounded In Love
BRD REFLECTIONS
Genesis 13 and Genesis 14; Psalm 11 (NIV)
(David Mok, Chairperson, Church Analytics Ministry)
READ:
Genesis 13 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Chapter 13 relates to us how Abram’s and Lot’s herders quarrelled over land use. The land they were residing on was not able to fully support the large herds of both parties. Abram saw the situation and initiated a settlement between him and Lot which resulted in the separation of both families.
In settling the dispute, Abram offered Lot the first pick of the land. He did not have to. He could have chosen the approach of equality or justice. A settlement based on proportional size of their respective herds would be deemed fair. A resolution based on seniority, giveing Abram who is the elder of his tribe the first pick, would have been just. He did neither. He chose instead the approach of the heart. He chose to love. In loving his nephew, Abram sacrificed his right to the first pick and his right to an arguably larger piece of land.
Right after the two men parted ways, with Lot appearing to have selected the choicer piece of land, God blessed Abram immensely and immeasurably. This blessing has now come to be known as the Abrahamic covenant.
APPLY:
The one who initiates In the family dispute between Abram and Lot, Abram took the initiative to bridge the gap. He did not wait for the problem to fester and grow. Likewise, when there are issues within the family or between friends, I can take a leaf from Abram’s example and be the one who initiates or starts the process towards reconciliation. It is a wise thing to do as it is always good to have peace as soon as possible. As Paul exhorts us in his letter to the church at Ephesus, ‘Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”.
Solution grounded in love Abram chose the posture of love in his approach towards finding a solution to the conflict between Lot and himself. I can learn a lot from this. Many a time in the past, I sought solutions based on equality, logic, or common sense. There is nothing wrong with these ways, but our Lord teaches us to find solutions his way, which is not of this world. He commands us to double check our thoughts, solutions, and deeds with his two commandments of loving Him and loving others. When I follow God’s ways, I find that the outcomes far exceed my expectations.
God will bless us when we obey his ways As God blessed Abram because of his posture of love and sacrifice, he will also bless me if I obey his ways. I have to be careful in my statement. I do not subscribe to the prosperity gospel. In my obedience to God, my approach to our Lord must be one of a heart that is free from expectation of a reciprocal reward . If I have a mindset of a reciprocal response, then I am treating our God as a transactional God. Our God will respond in his time and in his way. I will accept whatever befalls.
DO:
I will endeavour to initiate peace between myself and those with whom I have issues to settle. I will do so in spite of preferring my own ways as it is the way of our Lord.
I will continue to find solutions that are grounded in love. I have always wondered what it would be like to fully infuse God’s teaching at my workplace. So in my experiment, I told my staff to love those around them, explicitly telling them to accept requests for help beyond their job scope. Those who followed my instructions found, at the year end to their pleasant surprise, a promotion and a bonus that was the highest in their respective pay grades. They were all awarded without my recommendation. What happened? Apparently, the CEO noticed their participation in the organising of many team building events. The CEO got to know their names and saw their willingness and enthusiasm. As such, when performance appraisals were conducted, they stood out. This is God’s way.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, give me the courage to follow your ways as they are higher than mine. Let me truly learn the lessons from our father of faith, Abraham, that they may be imbued into my way of life. Please help me to continue to walk fearlessly in this world loving you and loving those around me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
