You're Either With Us or Against Us!

I had a long chinwag last night with a minister who lives in Southampton. We were discussing how we both felt that many of our leaders were pushing us apart rather than bringing us together.

As we each shared our thoughts it became obvious that there’s compelling evidence of our human nature to fragment into ‘in’ groups and ‘out’ groups. It’s not just the church; it extends to our governments as well as industry.

Whether it’s on an international scale or in our own neighbourhoods, schools, and parishes, we see it happen over and over, one group declares another to be outsiders, inferiors, or just not one of ‘us.’ The division is always arbitrary and usually quite superficial in origin, but it doesn’t lessen the intensity with which it is felt and enforced. As a result, barriers are created and people become excluded and sometimes punished, or worse.

Nothing could be further from the sense of family our hearts yearn for. In our Lord’s vision there is no division. There are no strangers. All are brothers and sisters in one communion.

So what steps are we taking to fulfil God’s vision? Are we being followers who stand behind lines or are we being leaders who break down barriers?



God of love, help us to see people and their needs. Help us to keep open our eyes and ears and minds and hearts, to recognise that others may not follow the same path we do. Help us all to follow the path that leads to Your love. And above all show us how to share that love with all whom we meet. Amen

The mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it. Isaiah 2:2