A FLAME

According to the definition, friction is “the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another.” Every day as I read through friends Facebook pages, I am heartbroken by the amount of unnecessary, unprovoked, and overt hostility I see. “Friction!” One person or group who resists the viewpoint of another with a lack of civility.

When did we become a people, especially in a free nation, who cannot disagree respectfully? I’m not talking about politics specifically, although this is undoubtedly a hot topic. Perhaps I’m just growing old and no longer have the hormones to wage war over someone else’s words, thoughts or beliefs. Yesterday, I attended an event with over a hundred strangers. We were comprised of just about every ethnicity on earth, varying religious and spiritual backgrounds, ages ranging from eight-years-old to people in their eighties, and people of different economic stature. If individually questioned, we would not agree on every topic. Because the event focused on intentionally bringing people together to promote goodness, a sense of healthy human bonding prevailed.

As a Christian, I desire that all people believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Why? Because I believe the Bible to be the absolute Truth, and personal experience backs this belief up, for me. However, if you disagree, I hope and pray that knowledge of who I am and what I believe will draw you in, not shut you out!

The Scripture in First Timothy says, “flee from all this.” What is “this?” In verse 4 of Chapter 6, the writer refers to “an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction…”  Another illustration of friction that comes to mind is that of a match sliding across a rough surface that results in a flame. Fire managed can be useful and good; we cook with it, stay warm, and we use fire to fuel energy. But, uncontrolled fire causes immense destruction and devastation.

What about you? Do you want to be a flame that destroys or one that lights the way for others? The choice is ours to make. Let us use our words wisely.