Num 11-13 The Better Way is Obvious

February 16th, Numbers 11-13

       Because of my interest in St Francis of Assisi, reading of Benedictine Heritage, and Bonehoeffer's work entitled "Life Together" I have taken hold of one very common thread. It's the same thread spoken of here in these verses this morning. It's an issue that will wreck a community of people and be a cancer worthy of the greatest fight we could muster. Benedict was famous for his statement regarding how to deal with the issue when it arises in their community..."Let the Abbot send two stout monks to explain the matter to him."
       What's the issue? The issue drives a wedge between people. The issue undermines a healthy out look, the issue is rooted in pettiness, or one person, or a small group not getting their way. It's can be related to leaders not listening, but more often related to the selfishness. It's always rooted in fear or envy. Fear of loss related to money, power, things. Envy in regards to all the meat we used to eat back in Egypt.
       Sometimes the people we lead don't have clear moments. "I wish our diet included more than manna,life was so good back in Egypt why did we ever leave." Clarity remembers, our sons were murdered when they were born back in Egypt. I don't know about you but I'll trade a fish for manna and my children getting to live.
       Grumbling is the enemy of every community out there. Home, church, workplace, friend groups, teams, organizations take your pick. Which of those places will function better when people grumble? Honest, direct communication one on one is how this works. In the movie "Saving Private Ryan" one great quote about groups and expressions of doubt is "Complaints go up the chain of command, they don't go down the chain of command." There is a place to go with the things on our mind, it's just that they need to go to the God Honoring place.
       This story is the precursor to the spies checking out the promised land. It's no wonder they didn't have faith to step into what God was offering. The church is the same, God says the fields are ripe for harvest...are we grumbling or moving out for the harvest?
       We are part of forming a "Relational Covenant" at our church. A promise for how we will walk hand in hand when we don't see eye to eye. I am excited to see what God's up to as we grow to become a place of harvest and loving one another is modeled for another generation seeking Christ.Seek out healthy ways to deal with conflict and be ready to take what God has already offered to us.