When I was a young girl I had to take one of my math classes three times. I was embarrassed, was called stupid and afraid I would never get into college. I cried in class one day. My teacher talked with me after class and told me they were proud of my struggle to and desire to learn. That encouragement helped me to persevere and eventually understand the concepts in algebra so that I could pass the course. The experience has helped me struggle through other difficult life events.

Anyone who has spent time maturing learns that life is full of struggles. Often we think of struggling with something or someone as a win or lose situation. This turns many relationships into a struggle over power and authority rather than being based on mutual respect and understanding.

How many projects and relationships come to an end due to a lack of mutual respect or a lack of understanding? Probably far too many. Understanding isn’t easy to come by, it takes time, energy and skill.

We all have the same number of hours in our day but that doesn’t mean we all have the same amount of time that it takes to communicate well enough to come to an understanding. In parent -child relationships a child asks ‘Why?’ And the busy parent answers ‘Because that’s the way it is.’ In a busy office meeting an employee or co-worker asks why and receives ‘We don’t have time to get into that discussion right now. We’ll talk about it later.” But later never comes.

While these are common occurances in our lives neither of these situations are ever pictured in the stories we read about Jesus’ encounters and meetings with his followers and disciples.

Some of Jesus’ teachings may be difficult to understand initially. It’s easy to say ‘I don’t understand that one.’ And cast it aside as unimportant to your life. The more often we do that the easier it is to begin saying we don’t need the Bible or Jesus or other people.
When this happens then your life relationships are on the brink of disaster, corruption and falling apart.

I’m convinced that when Jesus prayed for unity among those who love him he was praying for a willingness to struggle together for understanding out of mutual respect for him.

Let us pray.
Lord, please give us your Holy Spirit and a willingness to struggle for understanding of your Word and Will. Help us to live in unity with one another and love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to understand one another. We ask this for health and well being of our relationships at home, in the church and in the world to the glory of your name. Amen