Harmony

  Trina is a disrupter.  She never lasts long in organizations because she has a bad habit of stirring up trouble. When she finds weaknesses in people she exploits them.  She enjoys pitting one person against another.  She is a gossiping genius.  At first her gregarious nature and warm appearance win her instant friends. Slowly, as they learn she cannot be trusted with information, they pull away.  ​

Trina is a disrupter.  She never lasts long in organizations because she has a bad habit of stirring up trouble. When she finds weaknesses in people she exploits them.  She enjoys pitting one person against another.  She is a gossiping genius.  At first her gregarious nature and warm appearance win her instant friends. Slowly, as they learn she cannot be trusted with information, they pull away.  
            
Eventually, the rejection toll brought Trina to her knees. At the lowest point in her life her younger sister shared with her about Jesus—someone whose name had been a convenient swear word. When Trina put her faith in the Savior, it transformed her life.  She quickly gained meaning as she learned how much God loved her.  Soon she joined a thriving church and, as quickly as she began attending, she found ways to volunteer and a small group of adults to join. 
            
The leadership team was impressed with Trina.  They liked her energy and charm and decided to offer her an administrative position on their staff.  Unfortunately, they neglected to look at her job record or past history.  Despite the fact she was a new believer, and the wise reticence of the office manager, they brought her into a paid position. 
 
Meditation
Romans 15:5-6--Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.
 
Harmony means much more than an agreeable combination of music tones. It constitutes covenant and congruity that propels people to function well together.  Christ commands us to live in harmony because it glorifies God and blesses people. It keeps the enemy from sowing dissension and creating factions. For this reason, among many, we must beware of giving young Christians positions of authority or responsibility before they are tested and ready.  
            
Yes, Trina was a changed person who loved the Lord.  No, she was not ready to be placed in a position where she had access to information about people and the ability to influence church matters. Trina, despite knowing it was wrong, was a blabbermouth.  She manipulated people—helping those she liked and hurting those she disliked.  The church staff was unprepared for her behavior.  No one had mentored or trained Trina how to put to death bad habits they did not know existed.  She cost the church several families who left in hurt by her actions.  Leaders lost credibility for bringing her on the staff so quickly. 
            
Fortunately, Trina’s small group, when apprised of her shenanigans, acted. They surrounded her with love and taught her how to promote unity, put a leash on her tongue, and seek to edify rather than disturb. Eventually she grew to be a charming and fruitful woman!  
            
May God allow us to live in harmony.  We need His strength to do it; His grace to recover from dissension; His encouragement to endure; and, His wisdom to discern and root out sin.
  
Inspiration
How can we live in harmony? First we need to know we are all madly in love with the same God.—Thomas Aquinas
 
©2021 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)