Laws of Attraction

It’s not too late, yet.

Release it.

Redirect it.

Repent and forgive.

It really is the same core of emotions that fuels them both.

Like the poles of the same magnet, it’s equally as repulsive as it is attractive.

You just have to turn it around.

It’s like watching your parents prepare to divorce.

Ever see the movie, “Laws of Attraction”? It’s a quirky movie about two divorce attorneys who accidentally marry. There’s a quote in it that reminded me of a struggle we experienced some years ago. “We represent people who have suddenly discovered a passion for a fight that they never knew they had in them.”

“Then Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are right, but the king has no one to listen to you.” Absalom would also say, “I wish someone would make me judge in this land! Then people with problems could come to me, and I could help them get justice.” – 2 Samuel 15:3-4

While our pastor was away, one of the associate pastors said, during a leaders meeting, that if he was the pastor, he would do things differently.

I responded quickly and with very little political correctness, that he was acting like Absalom. That leader did not stay much longer after that.

Seeing rebellion among your leaders is like watching as your parents prepare to divorce.

They’re so engrossed in their ‘passion’ to leave each other that they miss the little eyes and ears observing their transformation and redirection. While they utilize their new found passion, sand replaces the bedrock of their children’s and congregation’s feet.
The sand seeps away through the cracks of neglect as the leader’s energy must be expended on attempting to stand alone.

The opposite of love is not hate. The same passion fuels them both.

Here are some ‘passion for a fight,’ verses from this morning’s devotions that reminded me of it all:

“I beg you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you agree with each other and not be split into groups. I beg that you be completely joined together by having the same kind of thinking and the same purpose.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10

“And Christ gave gifts to people– he made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to have the work of caring for and teaching God’s people. Christ gave those gifts to prepare God’s holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger.” – Ephesians 4-11-12

God help us focus our passions on making the body of Christ stronger by utilizing those passions for reconciliation.