In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters below. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn't a technology problem like radar malfunction, or even thick fog. The cause was human stubbornness. Each captain was aware of the other ship's presence nearby. Both could have steered clear, but according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other. Each was too proud to yield first. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late.
It is interesting how people will do just about anything to appear "tougher" than someone else. Several of us are familiar of people who drive their cars head on at each other and see who will "chicken out" first, similar to the story about the two boats. People just do not like to change their ways and give up their ground, even if this means other people are put in danger as well.
What is probably most sad is when people have this type of attitude in the church. We are all passionate about different topics, traditions, and aspects in our lives, but it is incredibly sad when problems arise as a result of people who do not want to yield to someone else. There is a story told about an old bridge that is only wide enough for one car to travel across it at a time. On both sides of the bridge there is a sign that says, "Yield." So, if two cars were to come upon the bridge at the same time, they would both yield to each other.
Too often people meet head on and refuse to yield to anyone. In our lives, everything could be so much better if we all learn to yield to each other and put aside our stubbornness, selfishness, and pride. Surely this is what Paul had in mind when he said, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). Too many problems are created and escalated because of people putting themselves before others. Let's not play "chicken" with each other in the church, but drive towards greater humility and unity.
It is interesting how people will do just about anything to appear "tougher" than someone else. Several of us are familiar of people who drive their cars head on at each other and see who will "chicken out" first, similar to the story about the two boats. People just do not like to change their ways and give up their ground, even if this means other people are put in danger as well.
What is probably most sad is when people have this type of attitude in the church. We are all passionate about different topics, traditions, and aspects in our lives, but it is incredibly sad when problems arise as a result of people who do not want to yield to someone else. There is a story told about an old bridge that is only wide enough for one car to travel across it at a time. On both sides of the bridge there is a sign that says, "Yield." So, if two cars were to come upon the bridge at the same time, they would both yield to each other.
Too often people meet head on and refuse to yield to anyone. In our lives, everything could be so much better if we all learn to yield to each other and put aside our stubbornness, selfishness, and pride. Surely this is what Paul had in mind when he said, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). Too many problems are created and escalated because of people putting themselves before others. Let's not play "chicken" with each other in the church, but drive towards greater humility and unity.
Brett Petrillo
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