Reaffirm

Reaffirm

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. . . . A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12

There is no community without conflict. Whenever you have a variety of people, you’ll also have a wide range of ideas and opinions.

Limitations on Amish life are dictated by the Ordnung, which is what the Amish call the unwritten set of rules and regulations that dictates their day-to-day life. The Ordnung deals with a wide variety of topics, such as clothing, transportation, technology, education, and much more.

Rules in the Ordnung can vary widely from affiliation to affiliation and can even vary somewhat from district to district within the same affiliation. As districts grow and divide into new ones and as new technologies and issues arise, the Ordnung necessarily changes and adapts as well. Minor regulations are updated by church leaders as needed, but major decisions usually involve congregational input and can cause debate in member meetings.

Regardless of how intensely various issues are debated, all matters of contention are laid to rest at the twice-yearly council meetings that precede the communion services. Once the group is at peace with each other and the rules, members reaffirm the commitment they made when they were first baptized to follow the Ordnung. In this way, they remain united as a people.

Have you had a conflict with someone or with a group of people lately? Is the conflict ongoing? If so, maybe you need to make new beginnings in your relationship with those family members or friends. Maybe you need to reaffirm the commitment you first made to God, and then reaffirm your commitment to others.

Our gracious God has offered forgiveness, strength, and unity, even after we fall short. Perhaps it’s time for you to share those qualities with someone else.

Two people are better than one. Joined they are stronger, and when they come before God together, that’s a triple cord that can’t be broken.

Dear heavenly Father, I’m so thankful that we have the opportunity to fix our mistakes. Turn my heart toward those with whom I have conflict. Soften my heart toward them as only You can.