Getting Along

Do you get along well with others?

I can remember when “Gets along well with others” was an evaluation on my school report card. And I remember how proud I was to show my parents when it was checked off as a positive statement about my behavior.

Years later Rodney King echoed that evaluation in Los Angeles when he asked, “Can we all get along?” Last week his words were quoted following demonstrations in Oakland, California.

Let’s face it—one of our biggest problems in life is getting along with other people. It begins when we’re born and goes downhill from there.

Early in life we discover that others don’t always do what we want. So life becomes a quest to manipulate them so they will. But, at the same time, they’re trying to control us.

At some point frustration kicks in and an emotional meltdown can follow (“temper tantrum”).

The sad part is we all have the problem and few know the solution. We’re experts at conflict (“He knows how to push my buttons.” “She makes me so angry!” “I hate you!”).

Unfortunately human nature doesn’t come with a peacemaking program. The result for many is a nightmare of disappointment, despair and depression.

Some turn violent. Others end up like James Thurber’s Walter Mitty: outwardly meek but living an inner life of fantasy adventures. Perhaps that’s why video games are so popular.

But most become part of the “mass of men” Henry David Thoreau described as leading “lives of quiet desperation.” Thoreau observed, “What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.”

There are bright spots--love, marriage and family. But eventually babies turn into two-year-olds and teenagers--and then conflict begins all over. Even the joy of romance fades with time.

“Now hold on for just a minute. This is depressing! Can I change the channel, please?”

Actually, that’s a good idea. As long as we stay stuck on channel WMEE (all me all the time), things won’t change much. But be careful which channel, which solution, you choose.

What we need is something proven to work with people problems. Something effective. And since you can’t change others, there’s only one solution: A New You. Not “turning over a new leaf” but getting a new heart and a new mind. Lasting change happens from the inside out.

God diagnosed our problem a long time ago. When people kept disappointing him, the Bible reports he said to them, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.”

But good advice (even God’s) only works if you follow it. And the Bible is full of good advice about life. For instance it says, “Don’t show favoritism” to others. In other words, get rid of your prejudices. Now that’s easier said than done. What you need is a mind to obey.

That’s why Christians talk about being “Born Again.” When people come to Jesus Christ and receive him as Lord and Savior, a change happens. God forgives their sin and gives them a new “heart”—a new mind and attitude. It’s a completely new way of looking at life.

For the first time, they are at peace with God and want to obey him.

After receiving unconditional forgiveness in our lives, we become peacemakers by pointing others to that same forgiveness. And that has helped people get along for 2,000 years.

The path to inner peace and peace with others goes past the foot of Jesus’ cross and his empty tomb. Faith in the Christ who died for our sins and rose from the dead is the only way to a new heart and new relationships with other people. In Christ we CAN all get along.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!