We’ve all been there, I’m sure. Walking through the grocery store or sitting at the baseball field or standing in line at the DMV, and suddenly you’re locking eyes with someone who has left your church. Now, not everyone who leaves a church leaves poorly. Leading means learning not to take every exit personally; sometimes it’s just not the right fit. But there are other goodbyes that are vicious and painful and leave a gaping wound. And if you live in a smallish town like I do, you’re bound to be face to face with that person eventually. There’s one very important and very simple action we are called to in such situations:
Say hello.
Throughout all of the New Testament, the church is constantly instructed to greet one another. Second Corinthians 13:11-12 says, “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.”
I’ve recently walked through a tough situation at church. When I read that passage, I see the instruction to rejoice and think:
I’m trying…
To aim for restoration
We did and it didn’t happen…
To comfort one another
I don’t have anything left to give anyone else…
To agree with one another
If only…
To live in peace
It feels like chaos and confusion are everywhere…
Greet one another
Greet one another…
Even if all the other boxes didn’t get checked, I can still do this one small thing. I can say hello to a once-called-friend. I can show delight in my eyes and kindness in my face as I simply say, “Hi.” Those two letters are enough. I don’t even have to ask how they’re doing. I can greet them, and pray for restoration and agreement and peace and comfort one day. But the weight of transformation and healing does not rest on my shoulders. My assignment from God is to hand Him the bitterness I’m tempted toward in my own heart, set aside my pride, and say hello.
Like Paul wrote just a few paragraphs before, His power is made perfect in my weaknesses. His grace is sufficient even (especially?) when things don’t go the way we hoped they would. I can still trust His goodness, and I can still come face to face with the one who wounded me and say, “Hello.”
Grace and peace.
Taking it further:
How can greeting one another be a step towards healing? Is this difficult for you to do? Seek the Lord and ask Him to be strong where you are weak, fearful, or angry.
