We all have them in our churches, schools, workplaces, supermarkets... We all know people who have a favorite subject about which they make a lot of noise, but they don't stop clanging long enough to listen to others or even to really listen to what they are saying. They're too caught up in whatever their caught up in.
On one hand, I really feel bad for these people. I want to help them. I want to help them slow down, center on Christ, and rejoin the conversation. I don't care whether they change their mind. I just want them to relax a little bit and not have to be so defensive.
On the other hand, I'm tired. After so many attempts at peacemaking, I get tired of getting bit. I wonder if it isn't better to leave them be and just ignore them when we pass in the hall.
How do you decide who to be patient with and who to just pass by?
On one hand, I really feel bad for these people. I want to help them. I want to help them slow down, center on Christ, and rejoin the conversation. I don't care whether they change their mind. I just want them to relax a little bit and not have to be so defensive.
On the other hand, I'm tired. After so many attempts at peacemaking, I get tired of getting bit. I wonder if it isn't better to leave them be and just ignore them when we pass in the hall.
How do you decide who to be patient with and who to just pass by?
