Fr. Brennan Manning, in his book, The Importance of Being Foolish-How to Think Like Jesus, says this, "To think like Christ is to have Jesus's relational attitude toward his disciples" Then he goes on to quote a tour guide he once had on a trip through the northern New York farm country, "Please be gentle with the lambs. They won't come to you if you frighten them."
How true both of those statements are as they correlate with one another. To be people of prayer and mission we must be able to relate to "ALL" of God's people who seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We see the instruction not only in scripture but also in our prayer life to be "gentle" with those whom we come in contact with in order that the saving message of Jesus Christ can be heard and understood.
So often we encounter those who seem different than us with hostility and anger simply because we don't agree with them. Spending much time in prayer this past week over many things, I am reminded that no matter "my feelings" on the issue, I must have and possess to the best of my ability, "Jesus's relational ability toward his disciples". That means I must pray in a way that opens me to a Christ-like understanding of people's differences, similarities, fortitude, and thought. Prayer then becomes an avenue of God's grace in our lives that move us, shakes us, and drives us in everything we do.
Please work to be "Jesus relational" and be "gentle with the lambs" that surround you in order that the Good News of Jesus Christ is shared with all and no one is left out.
Peace on this side, Pastor Mark