Hitting the Nail on the Head

Good Morning,

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Eph. 4:3 

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Rom. 12:18

Our focus for November is unity. We are going to look at things that hurt it and things that promote it. The above verses are just two from the many in Scripture instructing us to seek unity and peace with others.   

Two things stand out. First, the term “every effort” speaks to more than just another endeavor. Rather it means we treat it as a matter of utmost importance and priority. Secondly, “as far as it depends on you”. In other words, even though we cannot be responsible for the actions of others, we have a responsibility to do what is possible for us to promote peace and unity.

I am continually reminded of how little it can take to disrupt unity. Think of the most recent disagreement you had with someone. There is a good chance that while it seemed important at the time, that in the whole scope of life it probably didn’t merit the angst it caused. I have certainly been guilty of this many times in my life.  I am reminded of an experience I had while working on a construction project in high school. It is a picture of how small things can cause big ripples.

I was standing on a step ladder in a basement trying to nail floor joists. I was struggling to hit the head of the nail consistently. The more I missed, the more upset I became; the harder I swung and the louder I muttered. To say I had lost perspective would be an understatement. 

Then, as I stood on that ladder fuming, the foreman came over, stood above me, and said, “Ron, look at the head of that nail.” I said, “what?”. He said again, “Look at the head of that nail.” So, I did, and he then said something to me that I have never forgotten. “A man is only as big as the thing that annoys him.”  Wow, drop the mike. The head of that nail, about ¼” in diameter, had me turned inside out.

Just how much does it take to get you upset? How little does it take to disrupt the unity in your relationships?  The next time you find yourself at odds with someone, think of the nail. Ask yourself if something far too small is creating a rift far too big.

Question to Ponder this Week:

1)    If we are only as big as the thing that annoys us, how big are you?

Live on purpose, Ron Klopfenstein, CPLC