Listen

Now I encourage you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Agree with each other and don’t be divided into rival groups. Instead, be restored with the same mind and the same purpose. My brothers and sisters, Chloe’s people gave me some information about you, that you’re fighting with each other. What I mean is this: that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” “I belong to Apollos,” “I belong to Cephas,” “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you, or were you baptized in Paul’s name? Thank God that I didn’t baptize any of you, except Crispus and Gaius, so that nobody can say that you were baptized in my name! Oh, I baptized the house of Stephanas too. Otherwise, I don’t know if I baptized anyone else.

1 Corinthians 1:10-16

Think

There are times when following Christ feels lonely. Choosing his Way often means choosing unexpected routes that show us different viewpoints of the same landscapes everyone else sees. It makes sense that our view as followers may be different from those who have not yet found the Way.

But it can be frustrating and even angering when even other followers see things differently.

This was a challenge in Paul’s day too. Many teachers were gathering students, and students’ loyalty to their teachers was becoming more important than their commitment to Jesus’ own Way. Paul asked “Has Christ been divided?” Do we evaluate others’ faithfulness, do we even reject their faith, based on a specific teacher’s personality, style, or interpretation?

Our teachers may introduce us, encourage us, guide us. But it is Christ’s calling we answer, Christ’s baptism we receive, and Christ’s Way we walk. When we remember we are his, we can follow him together. We don’t have to journey alone.

Nikki Finkelstein-Blair

Pray

God of the Way, you have called us to journey together; surround me with fellow travelers who will truly share with me in Christ's baptism. Heal our division by teaching us humility. Heal our brokenness by teaching us oneness. Amen.

Go

The Way is waiting for you. Take steps forward or even backward. Slow down or sprint or skip like a child. Whether your pace is fast or slow, steady or stumbling, Jesus welcomes you to follow him to God's glorious kingdom.