How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
(Psalm 133:1)

Many are aware that I recently put an editorial to the Topeka paper. These were some of my words: “Having been around Topeka for a long time, I have seen how local conflicts impede progress. The city faces many issues: an over-developed West side with an under-developed East side; crime, drugs, and prostitution; home deterioration and poverty in several neighborhoods, etc. Too often local groups use their energies against each other rather than against these problems. We need a cooperative atmosphere and a positive attitude in order to move forward. I want to see local evangelicals be a part of this.”

After this was printed a Maple Hill resident wrote me saying that these same kinds of division impede progress in Maple Hill. The writer wondered what could be done to help unify the community.

That’s a good point. Here in Maple Hill we don’t have near the problems that big urban areas like Topeka have, but we do have needs. And as interesting as conflicts can be, we must remember that progress is found in agreement and consensus building, not by making divisions.

Sometimes this is hard in small communities. There are often select personalities who enjoy making divisions. Life just isn’t interesting enough without them!

And yet ultimately, the egocentric energy that drives these divisions needs to be put aside, for the sake of the community. And remember  it’s always easier to point the finger at others than to admit and confess your own sins!

Think to yourselves, my friends… what kinds of things could happen in Maple Hill if everyone’s divisions were cast aside?

Let’s think and pray about these things as we approach Christmas,

Pastor Andrew McHenry