| Crosswords: Subdivided |
By Richard Prow ~ rpcrosswords@gmail.com
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Early on we are inclined and at times encouraged to divide and segregate ourselves by way of groups, organizations, class systems and the like. The sexes are split in two before puberty by way of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Middle and high school students find themselves labeled as geeks, goths, jocks, hicks or freaks. Sororities and fraternities further dissect the masses during college years. Upon adulthood we become Rotarians, Elks, Masons, Shriners, Republicans, Democrats and Water Buffaloes - okay the last one is from childhood. The point is each of us finds his or her own place in order to feel connected, satisfied and sometimes justified.
There’s nothing wrong with the whole “birds of a feather” thing. Being bonded with others provides and instills teamwork, camaraderie and pride. A problem arises however when we use these factions to erect walls and barriers; blocking others from entering our ranks. Exclusivity becomes the norm.
This same mind-set invaded the walls of Christian churches throughout the province of Galatia some 2000 or so years ago. They divided themselves into camps; the circumcised and the uncircumcised. Otherwise known as Jewish Christians and their Gentile counterparts. Today’s equivalent of pant suits versus dresses or hymns versus praise music. Man-made regulations all.
Enter into the fray the Apostle Paul, emphasizing the need for Christians to see themselves as one. In Paul’s mind an individual was either a believer or they weren’t. They were reborn or remained spiritually dead. Christ was either their Savior or He was simply a footnote in history. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
We haven’t learned much it seems from the writings of Paul or the words from Christ (specifically John 17), that encourage believers to work together in a bond of solidarity. We have allowed ourselves to be subdivided into Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Church of God, Church of Christ, etc. - there wasn’t enough room to list them all.
One day God will tear down all the barricades we Christians have built around ourselves. He will unify His people under one roof, not many. But while we’re waiting it wouldn’t be a bad idea to pick up a sledgehammer and a crow bar and at least knock a few of those petitions down. It just may allow a little more light into our own space.
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