Written by Kim Solis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Mexico and Oregon
It’s not always easy to work with other people. This applies to the workplace, the church, and even the family. We’re all different and have different views and opinions about... well, everything.
When you want to paint the room a certain color, something vibrant to invoke feelings of peace, tranquility or energy, they prefer white, so as not to distract.
When you always arrive early, rearing to go, ready to conquer the task at hand, she saunters in 5 minutes late, bagel in hand, sipping an overflowing cup of coffee.
When you aim to see the whole picture, he hones in on that one specific detail that he just won’t let rest.
I can go on and on.
The truth is, it is much easier to work alone. No one else to have to agree with. No one else to have to put up with.
But guess what? When it comes to your brothers and sisters in Christ, you simply do not have that luxury. Our calling to the Lord may come individually, but it is expected to be lived out collectively.
Colossians 3:15 says that we should “let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.”
We have been called. We have been chosen. We have been made part of the church which is the body of Christ. We are not, and cannot be separate from one another.
So then, how can we live the truth of this verse? How can we truly function as one body?
Paul, the writer of the letter to the church in Colossae, answers that question before it is even asked.
Take some time to read the entire chapter of Colossians 3... Let’s highlight a few important statements and get tips on how to handle those difficult and sticky situations when working together isn’t easy:
1. Remember, you have been raised with Christ and should set your mind on the things of above (v.1-2). Let us not get caught up in the details of the disagreement or conflict. Let us focus on the goal: unity, harmony, and ultimately – glory for God (not for me!).
2. Put to death the earthly things in which you once walked and lived (v. 5). We are all struggling to change. Old habits aren’t easy for us to break, nor are they easy for others. Let’s give everyone, ourselves included, a healthy dose of patience and mercy.
3. Put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge... (v. 10). There is no excuse, however, that allows us to wallow in the old self. That self was put to death. That old argumentative, judging, critical, self-righteous, competitive, undisciplined self is in the grave. The new one is much easier to get along with. Be the person you want to work with, and perhaps your teammate will be encouraged to do the same.
4. We are all one in Christ (v. 11). Wow, this is just as important then as it is for today’s world! Where there are humans, there is prejudice and bias, so it seems. But in Christ, we are one. It doesn’t matter where we’re from, what color our skin is, or what culture we were raised in. Our different outlooks, opinions and personalities should never come between the oneness we have in Christ.
5. We are chosen, holy and beloved (v. 12). All of us. Even the one who frustrates you the most. Even the one whose personality clashes the most with yours. Even the one who is absolutely impossible to work with. They were chosen as well, and are just as holy and beloved.
What follows in this verse needs to be set aside and engraved upon our hearts (or perhaps stapled to our foreheads) so that we can have it present before we interact with any other person, especially one that is part of our intimate team:
1. Be compassionate.
2. Be kind.
3. Be humble.
4. Be meek.
5. Be patient.
6. Bear with one another (v. 13).
7. If you have a complaint, forgive.
8. Above all, LOVE (v. 14).
Love trumps all arguments, disagreements, differing opinions or personalities. If we love, we are not arrogant, demanding our way. If we love, we are not rude and don’t get irritated and resentful. If we love, we are not happy when something goes wrong for someone. We simply bear all, believe all, hope all and endure all (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
The relationship is ALWAYS more important than the decision.
If we can do all this, the stickiness that we want to avoid, becomes the glue that binds us together.
Embrace and appreciate differences. The world would be boring if we all thought like me.
Submit to others. Sometimes it is just best to go with the flow and let others make the call.
Love above and beyond all else. Even when you hate the idea, love the person.