When I started writing this series, I didn’t know what to expect. To be honest, I didn’t even know it would turn out to be what has become. There are so many things that didn’t end up being part of the series and there are other things that were added in as I continued to explore the subject of conflict resolution. I was trying to figure out how to end this series and I think I have found it, here’s “Middle Ground”.
Throughout this series one thing that has been echoed the most is that as long as we continue to be in relationship with other people there will be conflict. We’ve observed that even though it’s not preferred, proximity doesn’t guarantee an absence of conflict and that in most cases it actually brings out conflict. After exploring this, I think it’s safe to say that if we can’t avoid conflict we need to meet half way with each others expectations and needs.
Every kind of relationship requires sacrifice, every kind of relationship has a cost attached to it. That includes even man’s relationship with God. Sometimes we have to look outside of ourselves and out of love, give up our own way of doing things to appreciate the perspectives of those we love. Often when we look to the interests, opinions and perspectives of others, we find a great appreciation of their uniqueness which leaves them with a feeling of being valued.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” Philippians 2:4
The truth is, we only know how much we love people when we have to do things that may not be the most convenient for us. That’s love. And it’s the most important thing in our arsenal when it comes to conflict resolution. There will be many times when we will have to meet in the middle for the sake of our relationships. There will be many occurrences where our own way of doing things will not be what is needed and that’s completely okay. At the end of the day what should hold our relationships is love and not the need to be right about something.
“Love does not demand it’s own way” 1 Corinthians 14:5b
It’s only when we are willing to sacrifice and meet in the middle that we experience healthy relationships. It’s some form of equilibrium. It’s not too far to the left, not so far to the right, we meet in the middle. The middle is where both parties give up something for the other. It’s where we’re able to see the different routes to reaching a mutually desired destination.
And this process of sacrifice exists in all of life, forever. If our desire is to have healthy relationships, we will never reach a point in life where we do not need to sacrifice something for our loved ones. That may sound tiring for some, but I’d like to count it a pleasure that we get to give of ourselves for the benefit of others.
In our ideal world, we’d like to see a society free from conflict. We want to not have to resolve problems with each other. We would love it if there were no problems at all. It’s almost like we desire an unrealistic form of “relational utopia”. If you’ve been alive long enough to listen to and understand the daily international news programs, you’d notice that the conversation of “world peace” is constant. The truth is we will never achieve absolute world peace on this earth at least. And even if this is on a macro level, it applies as well to the peace that we desire with the people around us.
As hard as it may get to relate with the people around us, a template exists in the personhood of Christ. There is so much that we can learn from how He related with the people around Him. And He did not cut corners, He faced all problems head on, even the ones that would eventually lead to his death. All this He did out of love, so that we may have all that we need to live at peace with God and others.
So, it’s up to us to decide what to do with the conflicts we have with each other.. As long as it is up to us, we must make the effort to live in harmony with each other. As long as it’s up to us, we must make it a point to be in constant search of middle ground.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18 NIV
It’s not relational utopia, its love. Love wins!
Hey! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family! Thank you so much for reaching the end of this series. I’ve enjoyed every part of it and reading your responses has been heartwarming. I pray for the best in each and every relationship in your life!
Please consider leaving a like and a comment if this has been of help to you. See you in the next one!
Created on Purpose 