But Cal was in the minority. His church had voted to spend millions on a new multi-purpose building. Of course they needed more youth and education space, and the recreation area would be great. But MILLIONS?!
Cal wondered what was becoming of his church. He considered whether the church had missed its purpose and if he should just move on. So he prayed, asking the Lord what he should do. And the Lord directed him quickly.
His pastor surely anticipated Cal's requested appointment was to read him the riot act before storming out the doors, never to return. Instead Cal sat across from his pastor and said, "I want to head the project for our new multi-purpose building."
As a long-time contractor, Cal was an obvious choice before he had expressed his disapproval of the project. When his pastor asked why he would lead a project he voted against, Cal replied, "If our church is going to have a new building, God's calling me to make it the best it can be." The end result was a great new addition to the church that came in under budget and highly useful. Cal himself expressed how glad he was that he humbled himself to remain faithful to his church during a time of disagreement.
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have...you cannot get what you want so you quarrel and fight." James 4:1-2
We all want our own way, but to insist on it without considering others OR that we might be wrong, guarantees arguments on the horizon. Christians are light in a dark world and the world needs us to shine an example that will lead them to Jesus. If you find yourself fighting with others, can I encourage you to stop for a moment and ask yourself: Are they creating this fight, or am I?
So when you don't get your way, be like Cal.
Don't move to Canada.
And don't be moved to anger.
Be moved to prayer. Look for YOUR opportunity to end fights instead of starting them!
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