Reconciled

 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— (Colossians 1:21-22)

The focus for this week’s prayer time is reconciliation. In general, to reconcile to things is to bring them into agreement. You should reconcile your bank account at least once per month. This morning as I thought about the idea, however, was deep sighs and slumped shoulders as we reconcile ourselves to our miserable fates, whatever they may be. Part of that is human nature, and part of human nature involves reconciliation often meaning “Be reasonable. Do it my way” or “Be reasonable. Give me my way.” There is no meeting in the middle. We’re expected to lay down our arms and be enslaved. And even with God, this seems to be the case. Reconciliation isn’t on our terms. It’s on His. He provides all we need, but we still don’t get to be in control.

What this means is that for there to be reconciliation, there must be trust and goodwill on both sides. This is why sometimes reconciliation isn’t possible. It is still to be our goal when possible, from what Scripture teaches, we are to seek it even if it will cost us. The well-being of the other is to take precedence even over our own.

This means that if what the person with whom you are seeking reconciliation is doing something that is harmful to them, we must love them by standing against that thing. So, for example, reconciliation with an alcoholic doesn’t involve remaining silent about or “accepting” their alcoholism.

Today’s passage says that God has reconciled us to Himself. I struggle with this because again, it goes back to control. I must submit to the adequacy of His actions. I must submit to His being in control. When I think about it, that’s not a problem. But as I go about my life… I struggle. This is why we need to be praying WDA. They are so easy to lose.