We live in a world that is adept at conflict.  In many ways, we have perfected it, made it an art form.  People groups are constantly blaming one another for this or that.  Couples are in conflict over money, children, or work.  Our politics are rife with conflict over competing visions and goals for the nation.  This list doesn’t include gender, race, or economic concerns among disparate groups.  Add on to this the fact that we have little training or natural inclination on how to effectively and healthily handle conflict.  You might begin to comprehend the reasons for our state of being. 

Over the last twelve and half years, I have officiated at 142 weddings with one more in December of this year.  When I engage with couples for pre-marital counseling, conflict is a critical topic.  It is addressed quickly in the Alpha pre-marriage training course that we now use for this purpose.  The facilitators help couples understand their natural tendencies in conflict and how to find a healthier way to engage each other for lasting resolutions.  The reason this is important is because no one enters the marriage union with the intention to do everything in their power to destroy the relationship.  Rather, the goal is to live in love, peace, and harmony.  However, this takes work – a lot of work!

The first three ascent Psalms mark the steps of the pilgrim.  Psalm 120 speaks for the pilgrim leaving the diaspora.  Psalm 121 speaks of the pilgrim in the midst of a perilous journey.  And Psalm 122 indicates a pilgrim who is about to enter the holy city, Jerusalem.  The whole goal of the journey is to enter the “house of the Lord.”  The whole reason for coming to Jerusalem is to enter God’s house and to experience God’s presence, provision, and protection.  But the Psalmist also knows that if God’s house is in disarray, then it will be hard for the pilgrim to meet God who can calm their soul.  Therefore the Psalm encourages the pilgrim to pray for peace in God’s house.

The United Methodist Church has been through a lot over the past 5 decades, especially the disfunction over human dignity and sexuality.  With the provisions of the 2019 Special Session of General Conference, we anticipated an eventual settling of the dust.  A few thousand of our larger, conservative churches disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church.  Yet, many of us continue to pray for peace within our churches.  We desire above all else to be a place of refuge and solace for the weary, broken, beaten down and disenfranchised.  Not simply a home for the survivors but also a haven for the pilgrim.  We are hoping that we are on the other side of this conflict and that we might again see peace in the House of the Lord.  Or at least, we continue to pray for it.    

I invite you to take time and read each of the scriptures above followed by reflection on the questions below.  Ponder the ways in which God is watching over you, protecting you, and keeping you.  Lastly, I pray that God bless the reading of God’s Word and the meditations of your heart.

Questions to Consider this week:

• Monday:  Where do you go for a moment of peace?
• Tuesday:  What does it mean to you to be in the “house of the Lord?”
• Wednesday: Why is it important to find yourself in the “house of the Lord?”
• Thursday:  What are the qualities of God’s house that draw you in?
• Friday:  What are the things about the house of the Lord that drive you away?
• Saturday:  Are you praying for peace to reign in the house of the Lord?  Why or why not?

Actions for the Week:

• Head:  Consider your understanding of what it means to “go to the house of the Lord.”
• Heart:  Discern what your center is, where you find it, and how God’s house plays a part.
• Hand:  Purpose to pray for peace for the house of the Lord.