Taking the first step
in reconciling with another person very often doesn’t even involve moving our
feet, but it can be the most challenging of experiences we go through in life.
The need for reconciliation means we are in conflict with someone. In other
words, we’re fighting and there are plenty of hurt feelings and bruised egos to
go around. Our heart has been pierced by some kind of betrayal by a person
we’ve trusted and no matter how much similarly we have treated them, our hurts
blur our perception of our portion of blame for the whole mess.
Reconciliation excuses are some of Satan’s most effective tactics in destroying Christian joy and undermining our relationship with Christ. He convinces us that the other person is much more responsible for the conflict and therefore the burden of initiating reconciliation is with them. We are the offended party. And the longer we brood over our hurts, the more certain we are of our rightness and the other person’s total and complete guilt. The most tragic result of unreconciled conflict is the bitterness and resentment it grows within us. Like an acid it eats away at our hearts, reducing even our relationship with God to a cynical, hands up attitude, “But can I trust you?”
The message of Christmas is that God sent his Son into the world to reconcile us to himself, to end the war between us which our self-centeredness has created. As a result, we have every reason and all the motivation to be reconciled with other people. If you have that aching feeling you should send a text or an e-mail to someone you would rather forget, join us for one of our weekend worship services. Christmas is a time of reconciliation.
Worship service times: Saturday: 6:00 pm, Sunday: 9:00 am & 10:30 am.
Christmas Eve Service – Thursday at 7:00 pm
This Christmas Eve at 7:00 pm we will be holding a beautiful song and Scripture reading service to commemorate the birth of Christ. Join us for a time of worship and celebration on this most special evening!
