Conflict

I was in Lowe’s Hardware the other day and chuckled under my breath as I passed by the sections with tools. When I was in the eighth grade my parents (mainly my dad) enrolled me into shop class. The grade one received in this class was based upon the quality of the work done. Even though I made it through the class without cutting off any of my extremities an outsider looking in could definitely say this was not one of my strengths. In other words, I know what a hammer looks like but it may not be a wise thing to let me operate such heavy equipment. After graduation from high school I, like many graduates, faced the decision of what I really wanted to do with my life. My dad, who received an electrical engineering degree from the University of South Carolina, decided it was best for me to follow in his footsteps. I enrolled in the pre-engineering program offered by Auburn University-Montgomery. The best description of my first year in college was that it was not a pleasant experience. In fact it was a nightmare. I failed calculus the first time, then made a “D” the second time. At least I showed improvement. Frankly, I could not care less about the area under the “bell curve”. Chemistry was fun but I am forever grateful for my lab partner since he is the one who carried us through that class. One of the funnier moments came during the graphics design class that was required for engineers. At least I earned a well-deserved “C” in that class. My test scores were very good but my designs pointed towards another problem. I will never forget what the instructor said to me one day after class. We were discussing one of my basic designs and he said, “I have never seen someone try so hard and do so poorly”. It would be a physics class that ended my engineering career. Yes, I DROPPED the class.




A shroud of disappointment surrounded my dad as he realized I could not live up to his expectations. We did not and still do not see things the same way on many issues. My passions and interests are very different from my dad’s. Unfortunately this has created an ongoing conflict in our relationship. Each passing year sees another opportunity to resolve any differences drift away. A simple solution to this conflict would be to utter the words “I love you” to each other. I will always be able to see how many times I reached out to resolve our conflict, but I wonder how many times my dad reached out to me only to see me turn him away? Yet, conflict resolution doesn’t appear to be that simple. I have observed that differences between individuals and communities tend to be stumbling blocks and not viewed as the uniqueness in which God has created us.



Conflict not only exists among those who are different, it is prevalent among those who are similar. I remember seeing a cartoon posted on the wall of an architect. It showed the same building from three different ways. The caption went something like this: “How the architect envisions it, the engineer applies it, and the contractor builds it.” This speaks to how we as individuals differ in how we see things. Diversity provides an opportunity for learning. In our differences we should be coming to the table to communicate our feelings and thoughts rather than shutting down opportunities to resolve any conflicts that exist.



Through out history, especially church history, differences have created conflict because communication breaks down. As a result the church has created an atmosphere of animosity rather than love. Groups quarrel passionately with each other instead of talking. Power struggles ensue as one group wants to dominate the other. Eventually a human vision of God is developed that reflects a god who rejects others because they do not measure up to human expectations. I appreciate how passions create excitement within each individual. In the church passions can seem to act as a catalyst for conflict rather than portraying a God who loves all people. I for one am grateful for the uniqueness of each individual at the Church of the Palms. Our diversity portrays a big God who is Lord of all. In this diversity we will not only grow individually but will grow the body of Christ through our witness. Our journey is just beginning and it will be fun. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it.



Watch this YouTube video if you are able
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTBx-hHf4BE