day 340: Give Peace a Chance

I have recently watched what could be characterized as a "civil war" within a company. It is so clear to everyone that there is one person who does not respect another person and the feelings are mutual from the other side. A lot of time, energy and emotion goes into the day from each of these people making sure that the other person gets pulled down and that there is a constant stream of new recruits who are taking sides. If this was high school the rift would be obvious in the lunchroom with one group on one side of the lunchroom and the other on the other side. It's the same phenomena as high school but just not as outwardly obvious. But, believe me, it is there and it is thick. As I have observed the animosity and the fireworks I have wondered how much of each of these people's emotional and intellectual reserve is being used up day-in and day-out just positioning and maneuvering against the other person. Neither can be happy knowing that each day they have to go to work looking around the corners to see what shot is being taken at them. I honestly don't know why one of them just doesn't quit and move on, if for nothing else, to stop the misery. But, I sometimes get the sense that for them this is more sport than war, but it is still not good. In some ways, we all end up in this position in our careers. It would be great if everyone saw eye-to-eye and liked each other all the time. But that would be more like heaven than work. It is important though that we as believers and those who are trying to set the right example for others don't let ourselves get drug into one side versus another or into a relationship where we harbor bad feelings for someone else. Paul, of all men, could see above all of this and tells us plainly in Romans 12:18 to, "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone". Notice he did not say, "do what you can". He said, "do all that you can". Paul was saying that it is all-important to be in a place of peace with others. You may have one of those people at work right now where you have done "some of what you can", but you are far from doing "all that you can". Today would be a good day to give "all that you can" a try to give peace a real chance.

Reference: Romans 12:18 (New Living Testament)