Hebrews 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone
Here is where we need to extend every effort. As far as it lies with us, to the extent of our ability and responsibility, we are to get along with one another.
We are all still human, and we still err in our relationships with one another. We may be insensitive to another's sensibilities and wound them. We may thoughtlessly give voice to some stray fact or opinion that offends a hearer. We may even do something in our pride or arrogance that harms someone else.
If so, then we need to make amends; apologize, restore what was lost, do whatever we can in love to bring back that wounded brother or sister. Whatever is in our power to do.
Or we may have overstepped our boundaries and invaded another's personal space, their right to make their own choices in their lives. We like to be a god to another, thinking that we know better than they do what would be good for them. This injures their personhood before God, and robs them of their responsibilities.
May we all ask our dear Father what He would have us do and say, before we try to approach the wounded one. Sometimes we do everything we can, and the injured brother or sister still will not reconcile with us. That also is their choice. In that case, the only thing we can do to not further aggravate them is to pray that God will draw them to Himself and teach them His ways. And whether or not we ever reconcile will be up to our loving Father, in His time and in His way.
We know that God's ways are best, even when we are not able to fathom what He's doing now in our lives. We make our plans, but He leads our steps (Proverbs 16:9).
So let us all plan out how our lives will go, but be open to His detours and side-trips on the way, trusting Him with our lives, our plans, our relationships and our accomplishments.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
