Bah Humbug!

No, this is not a Christmas post, but it is a post on attitude, which I guess could affect Christmas.  I am much perplexed on the frame of mind I see so many people in; that instead of eliciting an air of community and a sharing of ideas and information, so many stand ready to debilitate and under-mine others with a mere glance in their direction, let alone offering the opportunity to entertain individual ideas and thought processes.  I might add that these tend to be the same people who think they are open-minded and empathetic...hmmm.

And no, I am not talking solely about people who have differing beliefs from mine, I know that would be the first assumption. But, In fact, my concern comes directly from conversations with my own brothers & sisters in Christ, from within the Body.  Coming from a group of "believers" (I have issues with that word, because even Satan believed in the reality of Jesus Christ but didn't operate in it), I have found hearts of stone, rendering judgement on others, all while staying outside the arena of sharing conversation and communication.

Proverbs 27:17 ~  Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.  

I particularly like the the passages before & after also; Prov. 27:16~He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand and Prov. 27:18~He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who cares for his master will be honored.

So combined without separation, it reads: He who would restrain her restrains the wind and grasps oil with his right hand.  Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who cares for his master will be honored.

When I look at this, I see a passage that encourages open communication regardless of what another thinks or believes.  That through opening our hearts and ears to hear, only then will we be able to either solidify truth, or have our hearts turned toward it.  That by hanging on to what we have always known we will not allow the winds of change to blow, we cannot anoint with old oil.  We must venture out into the orchard, away from our comforts and care for our master.

Iron is very strong, not easily manipulated, only workable through being submerged in fire then tended with a craftsman's hammer...over and over again.  Being dogmatic and immovable, fighting the blowing wind, trying to anoint with stale oil runs the risk of stagnating the Body.  

Things are changing, the wind is blowing, new oil for our bags is being offered.  Do you really want to change the world?  Then my suggestion, for what it's worth, is to drop the restraints of fear, surround yourself with those who can take your hand and help lead you into the orchard and receive the new anointing oil.  That's how we will change the world, that's how we become united.  That is how iron sharpens iron.