“In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. - 1 Corinthians 11:18-19

Dear Jesus, this passage has both comforted and confronted me since the day I met it. In the midst of decrying that his people were arguing, Paul admitted that the virtue of church debates is that they reveal who is really walking by truth, faith and love. I wonder every time I'm caught in a conflict whether you see me acting in truth and love or selfish ambition and stubbornness. It makes me stop and think, evaluate and then pray. Thank you so much for this verse. It changes everything about the debates that encircle me. And it reminds me of your stabilizing presence and oversight in every situation. AMEN

"Winning the argument is not near as important as loving God and your adversary in the fray."