I have been re-reading "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom.

For those who haven't read it, it is the story of how her entire family was sent to concentration camps during World War II.  Only Corrie survived.  They were devout Christians who harbored Jewish refugees as they tried to make their way out of Germany and escape the Nazi death camps.  When the Nazis found out what the Ten Boom family was doing, they were all arrested and sent to Ravensbruck.

I was deeply moved by the following passage:

"...Betsie and I made our way to the rear of the dormitory room where we held our worship "service"...and here an ever larger group of women gathered.  They were services like no others, these times in Barracks 28.  A single meeting might include a recital of the Magnificat in Latin by a group of Roman Catholics, a whispered hymn by some Lutherans, and a sotto-voce chant by Eastern Orthodox women.  At last either Betsie or I would open the Bible.  Because only the Hollanders could understand the Dutch text, we would translate aloud in German.  And then we would hear the life-giving words passed back along the aisles in French, Polish, Russian, Czech, back into Dutch.  They were little previews of heaven, these evenings beneath the light bulb.  I would think of Haarlem, each substantial church set behind its wrought-iron fence and its barrier of doctrine.  And I would know that in darkness, God's truth shines most clear."

As a believer of 26 years now, I have seen those "barriers of doctrine" divide Christians all too often.  I'm not talking about the essential doctrines of true Christianity, but the particulars, the preferences, the traditions, the "convictions" that many times are allowed to become paramount over and above the one common faith in Jesus Christ we all share.  Have you experienced the sting of being rejected, judged or measured by other believers solely on the basis of some non-essential pet doctrine?  Me too.  And I confess, with shame, I have rejected, judged and measured others as well.

But, as I read the above portion of the book, I was struck with a revelation that put things in an eternal perspective for me.  I thought about people in the past that had been judgmental toward me, or toward whom I had been judgmental.  I imagined us together in a prison cell, persecuted because, despite our differences, we both named the Name of Jesus Christ.  I know under those circumstances, every inconsequential "particular" would melt away and the Jesus we both loved and for Whom we both suffered would become all that mattered.

If you have been hurt, judged or unjustly measured by a fellow believer, I urge you to try this little exercise.  It was the most fervent prayer of our Master that we be "one" even as He and the Father are One.  Oh, let us strive to honor that prayer and see beyond the temporal!  God, grant to each of us an eternal perspective today.

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Posted by Titus2woman

I really loved this~and needed it too! I try to remember that with different denominations, we are in agreement on the essentials! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

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Posted by HeartForHome

Thanks for the lovely post! This is a great reminder. I feel that He has been really whipsering in my ear lately, to keep the big picture perspective rather than bogging down in the details. Your post is a perfect example of how to do that with other believers. It is so important to focus on what matters.

Blessings,
Courtney

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Posted by mrssulli

I am so excited to come across your blog! I am a subscriber to the New Harvest newsletter :) Thank you for sharing and encouraging.

Jonatha

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Posted by scottsdomesticangel

I have not read that book yet, but we are currently struggling with some of the very issues you discuss in your post. Sigh. Maybe I will finally break down and read it. I have really just been avoiding it, thinking it would make me sad.
I also appreciated your definition of 'homestead'. Thanks. Stop by my blog sometime and see what's up in my world concerning Titus 2.

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Posted by mrssulli

Oops, sorry to worry you, it was just the sample issue! I've evidently never got around to placing an order... I do love that issue, though! Maybe this week I'll get organized and get my subscription! Thanks for checking. :)

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Posted by DandelionSeeds

Please spread the word...




In Him,
Amy

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Posted by DandelionSeeds

I am sending out a "mass apology" to everyone I told about "The Clean Heart, Clean Home Challenge". I have received some comments in regard to leaving the button on people's blogs and I feel the best way to make sure there aren't others who are offended, is to apologize to those I sent the notice to.

I feel just horrible that some thought I was "advertising" in some way when my intention was to share with other homeschoolers what I was offering as encouragement and a way for us to join together.

If you are one who was upset by my post, please feel free to delete it and email me or leave a comment on my page and I will personally apologize. To those who have joined in The Challenge, I'm so looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us and hope we will all be able to bless our families and grow in the Lord through it! Thank you most importantly for seeing my heart. I never meant to disregard anyone's post when I left the comment about the Challenge, and want you all to know that anything you ever have to say to me, whether on topic or not, is more than welcome on my blog. I will also be making a new category on my blog that will list those of you who don't mind getting urgent prayer requests or information from time to time. I hope this way I will be able to avoid upsetting anyone similarly in the future.

Thanks for allowing me to comment on your blog. I hope you will accept my apology (and not be upset that I'm "off topic" from your post, but I have many people to get to still tonight).

In Him,
Amy Verlennich

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