Starting at Jesus
Can two people start out at different locations and arrive at the same spot? The other day, after keeping our grandchildren for a week or so, my wife and I agreed to meet our daughter at the Schlotzsky’s in Sweetwater, TX to hand over the children. The only issue was that she was in Temple, TX and we were in Clovis, NM. As it turned out not only did we meet at the right place, but we met virtually simultaneously. So, it is possible for two people to leave differing locations and arrive at the same destination.
Now, of course, I have to wonder about this from a spiritual perspective. Can two people possibly reach the same conclusion if they are not at the same starting position? This is an interesting, and perhaps urgent, question.
I am thinking from my study in I Corinthians 1:10. Paul encourages the Corinthian brothers and sisters to be “perfectly united in mind and thought.(NIV)” Apparently the early Christians in Corinth hadn’t accomplished this, and I wonder if we have today.
Much could be, and perhaps, should be said about this text, but I am intrigued by the being “perfectly united in mind.” This is an interesting word. Though “thought” has to do with one’s opinions, thoughts or judgments; “mind”, in this case, has to do with the faculties present to form such opinions, thoughts, or judgments.
It is the basic starting place from which our thoughts arise. Unity there is sometimes sidestepped, I think, in order to get to unity of opinion. Without unity of mind unity of judgment and thought will not happen.
In this case we all have to start at the same place, Jesus! We allow Him to formulate our judgments and opinions. He is the primary starting place.
Do you want to tackle unity? Start with Jesus. Do you want to think about salvation? Start with Jesus? Do you want to consider faithfulness and commitment? Start with Jesus.
Do you want to discover Christian service? Start with Jesus.
He is not only a good starting place; He is the only starting place. Maybe we end up in different locales because we have not started at the same place.
Let’s start at Jesus and see where we go from there. It should take us to the same place.
