David Takayoshi Suzuki, a Canadian academic, science broadcaster and environmental activist once remarked: “Change is never easy, and it often creates discord, but when people come together for the good of humanity and the Earth, we can accomplish great things.” Romans 12:16-18 reminds us: “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Discord has been discerned as an ineffaceable or essential lack of harmony that evokes resentment, factiousness, or antagonism. It can occur in circumstances or issues wherever the opportunity for dissent exists. It has been inferred by some that discord has the ability to interfere, or even prevent spiritual teaching from the Holy Spirit and that those seeking a learning experience may, as a result, suffer from an abundant lack of information. However, 2 Timothy 3:16 states: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
God’s wish is that we should live a harmonious life with humanity. Disagreements do occur, that is understandable, normal, and may occasionally, even become prevalent. They can sometimes involve an enthusiastic or heated debate which has the potential of leading to a positive result. But we need to recognize the fact that it needs to be kept in proportion. It achieves nothing to constantly bicker or show antagonism toward others. These attributes are often displayed in childhood as they don’t know any better, but as mature adults, we need to adopt a more responsible approach. We should remember that most problems in life are not insurmountable and can usually be rectified with ease if we adopt the correct mental approach. 1 Peter 3:8 reminds us: “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
If we are not careful, discord with others can sometimes escalate out of all proportion. It can become all-consuming and the primary focus of attention which can have a negative impact on our minds and bodies. It can cause psychological effects which may induce the onslaught of anxiety and depression and can certainly be attributed to insomnia. Ephesians 4:1-3 states: "I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
There were once two brothers who had lived next door to each other for many years. They each owned a smallholding. One brother grew a selection of assorted vegetables and the other kept poultry in a coop. They were very close and usually lived in complete harmony with each other until the brother who kept fowl inadvertently alienated the other. There had always been a small hedge that separated the two properties and the two brothers would often stand and chat to one another on each side of it.
One day, the brother who kept fowl decided to marginally increase his livestock and purchased a few cattle. Being of a considerate nature and to avoid the animals invading his brother's property and causing damage he, with the best of intentions, decided to remove the hedge and replace it with a wooden fence between the two properties. He had several six-foot by six-foot fence panels professionally installed, which stretched continuously for the entire length of the boundary. Unfortunately, he omitted to inform his brother of his intention prior to this action which rather upset the apple-cart. His brother became deeply hurt, irate and accused him of trying to distance himself. As the fence was six feet high, they would no longer be able to have their regular chats and he felt insulted that this action should have been completed without any consultation. Matthew 15:18-20 reminds us: “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
The brother desperately tried to explain that he didn't want his newly acquired cattle invading the privacy of his brother's land and probably destroying his vegetables. He had only done it to safeguard him. The brother rejected the reasoning and informed him that he didn't wish to associate with him any longer. A bitter confrontation then developed which escalated to truculent proportions over several months. Leviticus 19:18 states: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
One day, an old white-haired carpenter was passing the properties and called on the brother who kept livestock to ask if there were any carpentry jobs that he might require undertaking. The brother told the old man about the feud that he was encountering with his neighbor and how sad and distressed he felt that this had occurred. They had always been very close since childhood and he missed his brotherly companionship. He thought that this problem might continue for many more years to come, if not forever unless a solution was forthcoming. This made him feel dreadful. The carpenter, who was a wise person, considered the problem, then suggested: “If you wish sir, I can help. I could install what I endearingly call “A Gateway to Life.” It would entail removing one of the fence panels, in a location of your choosing, and replace it with a relatively low ornate wooden gate not exceeding four feet in height? This way you could both continue your regular chats after you have resolved your differences and then you could also gain access to each other's property if you so wished by simply opening the gate. It would still protect your brother's property as the gate would prevent the cattle gaining access to his land." The brother thought that this was an ideal remedy to the problem and instructed the carpenter to complete the job with the utmost haste. The old carpenter made a beautiful job of the conversion which blended in perfectly with the existing fence.
He had even used the same type of wood which looked as if the finished project had been designed and installed at the same time. It greatly satisfied the initiator. When his brother saw what was happening, his heart was filled with compassion and joy. He immediately approached and hugged his brother for his considerate action. He informed him: “I believe that our discord is now at an end, you are once again my beloved brother. You are welcome on my land and in my house whenever you wish.” Ephesians 4:31-32 reminds us: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Amen.
