Looking for a Way to be Constructive
Look for a way.
Doing something constructive is “will” action. It’s one thing to not pick a fight. It’s one thing to stay out of the fray, but it’s another matter to do something constructive instead of backing out of the way.
I have to keep practicing this adage over and over again. Situations keep coming my way that make it easier for me to avoid or ignore, rather than step out of my boat. Seriously, relationships are hard. Sometimes it is easier to stay in the shadows, ignore the conflict, or go the other way.
‘Had an older man tell me the other day that he spent the day trying to stay out of conflict. He seemed proud of the fact that he “did his part”, but it made me sad. He could, instead, have done or said something constructive. Too often when we’re hurting or lonely, we find it hard to do something positive toward the one who (we think) harmed us. We shift the blame and stay out of the game.
Instead of succumbing to the easiest behavior, we should follow the direction of Scripture. The Phillips’ translation of I Corinthians 13 tells us that love “looks for a way to be constructive.” That’s positive “will” action. It’s doing something positive in response to the problem – even when it’s hard.
When Jacob and Esau parted ways, their nations became rivals. Esau’s descendants are known as Edomites. We know Jacob’s offspring as the Israelites.
Near the end of their 40-year journey in the wilderness, God gives instructions to Moses. His people are about to go through the land of Edom. and God tells them specifically how to act toward their relatives.
do something constructive
God tells Moses, “You’ve skirted this mountain [Mount Seir] long enough. You are going to pass through [their] territory. . . . Don’t meddle with them. . . . Buy food and water.”
God tells them not to tangle with their former enemies. He tells them to stop avoiding them, to do something constructive: pay for food and water from the descendants of Esau.
Perhaps this was to provide safety for them on their journey. It was also to help them learn to live peaceably with their neighbors as well as enemies.
Maintaining healthy relationships is perhaps the hardest part of life. However, if we follow God’s instructions, we can live in harmony even with those with whom we disagree.
Stop crowing about staying out of the fray. Get out and do something constructive. That’s God’s way.
Photo credit: Peggo Marco at pixabay.com
