To
split or not to split that is the question.
We aren’t talking about bananas or taking off to go to the store.
A split occurs when two parties are unable to work out their
differences and choose to not continue in a previously existing relationship.
Splits occur in jobs, businesses, families, homes, schools, churches,
states, countries, and in all areas of our lives.
I believe that everyone has experienced a split of one form or another.
What happened to you? How
did you handle it? How are you
doing now? You may be going
through a split or maybe you are considering splitting yourself.
No, I don’t mean to separate your life, but you might be considering
leaving a relationship. Why?
Why not? How is it going
to affect you and yours? Why does it hurt so much?
What does God think about splitting up?
Does it matter to you what God wants and what God says?
If it matters, please continue reading the remainder of this article.
God has some good news for you.
First,
we have some history to consider. History
is important because it shows us how we have arrived. Living in the USA we must all realize that our country has a
beginning from a split. We split
from the motherland in the late 18th century through the
revolutionary war and established a new country.
As history almost repeats itself this new country tried to divide
during the civil war. A very
terrible split was avoided at the cost of thousands of lives.
The state of West Virginia came into existence out of that conflict.
Our state is the result of a split.
It seems that many across our country and state have forgotten the cost
of splitting and the result of it. We
have been born out of a split. Our
country is divided today over the issues at hand.
The election, the war, the economy, the presidential candidates, and
many other issues seek to divide us asunder.
Hold on! Is all this
splitting right? Should
countries? Should states? Should
Christians and churches split? Should
families split? Should spouses?
Should you?
From
the following passage of scripture we can learn some valuable truths
concerning the nature of splitting and what we should do.
Genesis
13:5 Now Lot, who was moving
about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could
not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so
great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between
Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were
also living in the land at that time. 8 So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not
have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for
we are brothers. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If
you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to
the left." 10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan
was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward
Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose
for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two
men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived
among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.
If
you are considering splitting or are/have been involved in a split there is a
Word from the Lord for you. Consider
the previous Scriptural account of a split.
1.
Who are the people involved? Abram and Lot and all their stuff.
2.
What is the problem? Can’t
get along and not enough land for all.
3.
What is the solution? We
have to split to try to find enough land and peace.
The
only apparent solution to the problem was a split.
Many of the problems we face are much more complex and involve years of
problems that have been swept under the rug, so that the result is a huge
explosion that sends dust sailing everywhere.
Abram and Lot discovered that they could not stay together, so the only
solution was to split. Splitting
maybe the only solution to your problem.
If you have ever had to split you know that there is considerable pain
involved. So, when the inevitable
has happened you need to realize that often there is no other way. Begin the healing process inside of you and then you can get
on with the healing that is necessary for you and the others.
Abram said that for peace to have a chance for him and Lot they had to
split. Peace is the goal that we
seek. Peace between you and God,
peace between you and you, between you and the family, you and the church, you
and the spouse, you and the neighbor, you and the kids, you and the boss, you
and the employee, you and that friend, and you and the world.
Agreeing to disagree is the human way.
Splitting worked in this situation with Abram and Lot.
But in some situations it is not God’s way. A split occurred between God and humanity in the Garden of
Eden. God didn’t just forget
about them. He came down and made
an effort to confront His children and let them know He wasn’t giving up on
them. God forgave them their sin
and took care of them. He made
the first step. He sent his only
Son who was to reconcile us to Him. The
price was his very life, but He took the first step.
Peace can only be renewed between people when someone takes the first
step. You must take the first
step to reconcile the situation. Splitting
is not the only solution to the relationship problems we face, it is often the
easiest. Do you want the
best/right solution? We often
choose splitting because it seems to be the only way.
Have you tried taking the first step?
Will you seek peace for you and them?
God chose to make it possible to heal the separation caused by our sin.
He made the bridge. Will
you choose to cross this bridge to get back to God?
He wants us to build a bridge to try to heal the relationships that
have been damaged. Then it is up
to the injured to cross it. Will
you? Will we?
Splitting seems to be the American - West Virginian way, but it isn’t
the only way. It is one of the
ways a problem between parties can be resolved.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life no man comes to
the Father but by me.” Will we
go with Him to bring peace? Let
the healing begin!
