News flash—not every family vacation is conflict free! You may have a few experiences flashing on the screen of your memory right now. I can remember the first time my father spoke those infamous words, “Don’t make me stop the car!”
We were less than an hour into our family vacation and all three of us kids were in the back seat fighting over the good toys. After several attempts at stopping us, even using that phrase, my dad finally whipped the car around taking us toward home. Silence! He had our attention, so he explained that a family vacation was supposed to bring us closer together, and if we couldn’t do that, we weren’t going. After a few miles, he turned the car back around and we had a great vacation.
Paul tells us to live a life worthy of our calling. Be Christ-like in all your dealing with others. Be humble and gentle and patient and loving. Keep the unity through the bond of peace. Unity does not mean everyone agrees on everything all of the time, but it does mean that everyone agrees to protect the body, the church, from division and unresolved conflict. For if we are truly believers then we are called to one Lord, one Baptism, and one God and Father of all. And if the Christian community is going to be an example, rather than a part of the problem, then we must be fully committed to unity. This week, as you read stories about conflict and unity, make a conscious effort to look into your own life and seek unity.
—Pastor Caleb
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