PRINCIPLE: “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”
Barb and I enjoy putting puzzles together. We relish the challenge and like the fact that, supposedly, doing puzzles is one way to keep minds fresh and alert (and we need all the help we can get with that!) But early on we learned there’s a problem – there’s more than one way to do a puzzle. And there’s the rub. The first thing Barb likes to do is turn over and lay out all the pieces; the first thing I like to do is find the edge pieces and get the frame together. Both ways work – but when we’re working together it’s difficult to use both approaches. Something – someone – has to give. If we want to complete the puzzle in the most efficient, least stressful way, we need to be on the same page regarding the process. The way to success is teamwork. That’s worth remembering. “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”
It reminds me of the apostle Paul. In his first letter to the Corinthian Church he dealt with divisions in the church, primarily with divisions caused by selfish attitudes. Paul talks about some specific issues causing divisions in the Corinthian church. There was, he said, more than one way to approach what kind of meat to eat, more than one way to worship, more than one way to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and more than one way to use spiritual gifts. But, he warned, do not let your way get in the way. (10: 23-24) “’Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”(10: 32-33) “Do not cause anyone to stumble…I am not seeking my own good but the good of many.” Give up the demand for your way – the way to success is teamwork. “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”
To illustrate the principle, Paul – in chapter 12 – points to how our bodies work. (12: 12, 26)) “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body….If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” All the parts can work independently, but then the whole body would be dysfunctional. But for the body to function in a healthy way the many parts must work together. So for Paul the way to healthy functioning is through great teamwork – and the way to great teamwork is seeking the good of others. “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”
I have a strong suspicion that what works in the body of Christ, works as well in athletic contests, office staffs, government agencies, marriages – and even in completing puzzles. Granted, leadership sometimes, in special unique circumstances, demands leadership that states “My way or the highway.” But in most of our everyday situations, there is another way, a healthier more productive way.“Do not cause anyone to stumble…I am not seeking my own good but the good of many.” “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”
Yet Paul brings the body illustration to a climax by nailing down why we should seek the good of the other (12:31): “And now I will show you the most excellent way.” And that way is love. (13:1-8) “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” In all things, “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”