Some people are just disagreeable. They don’t want to work with the team and always want to do their own thing; they are simply contrary.  

Chances are they won’t retain their spot in the team. They are left off the team for a while to do their own thing. They may be called up again later, but if they don’t integrate with the team, it’s goodbye.  

The Bible says we must be of one mind, the opposite of being contrary or disagreeable. Another word to describe this characteristic is likeminded. It means we must live in harmony with each other, without allowing our differences to cause a divide between us. 

Actually, we must open ourselves up to each other’s realities and share our way of doing things. Then we can learn from each other and perhaps straighten out our crooked way of life and walk in harmony. 

In fact, we’re all on our way to the same place. We have the same goal and, therefore, we must pull together in the same direction. When we pull together, we use much less energy than when one is constantly pulling in a different direction. 

Yet we are not all the same. God made each of us unique. Each of us sees the world differently and we don’t necessarily experience it the same way as others. And that is completely acceptable. 

I enjoy working while music plays in the background and my feet walk around under the table all the time. When it’s quiet, I get restless and wonder what’s wrong. Renata is completely different. She needs quiet and will give me a look when I run the little water fountain in our backyard. 

The sound of the water calms me down. It bothers her.  

But we are chasing the same goal. We want to serve God with everything in us. We want to live our calling in all aspects of life and make a difference wherever we go. We just do it in a slightly different way and for this, we must be open to each other’s uniqueness. 

Sometimes I turn my music down and sometimes she lets me be with the bass rattling the windows. But in our uniqueness, we make room for others, and arrive at the same goal: to assist others where they may be struggling in life. 

For this, you need a heart. Actually, all children of God must live with their hearts on their sleeves. People must be able to see that we want to help carry other people’s burdens. Others must experience it personally that we really care and are sensitive to others’ pain.  

Today, we need to fight so hard for our sunny spot in the world making it difficult to also focus on others. But when you realise what Jesus did for you when He came to drag you out of the mud of life, you want to pass this grace onto the people who were caught in the mud with you. 

Then your heart softens, and you actively seek opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of others and lighten the heavy load they’re dragging along. Yes, then we are not pulling in the opposite direction, but play together in the same team. 

8Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. 

Scripture
1 Peter 3:8-11 

Reflection
Are you sometimes stubborn and disagreeable?
How can you stop being disagreeable?
Where can you play well in the team with others? 

Prayer
Father, I know You don’t want me to be contrary and disagreeable. Please help me to be more sensitive to others’ feelings. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.