Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

The cost of harmony.

A couple of days ago I wrote about how bark can symbolize God's protection of our relationship with him. Another image comes to mind when I look at this picture of bark. Looking closely at this bark it appears that it is made up of many layers. These layers build up over time to create a thick bark.

We form layers around our lives in an attempt to prevent us from being hurt by others. For some of us these layers have added up over the years to form a massive layer of protection.

Nobody wants to be hurt so we do what we can to protect ourselves.

"Live in harmony with one another." Romans 12:16a English Standard Version

If we continually add layer upon layer of protection to our lives how can we live in harmony with each other? The absence of fighting doesn't mean we're living in harmony. Often the absence of fighting means that there is also an absence of human contact.

Harmony in the Christian community begins at the violence of the cross. Jesus was stripped of everything on his cross that he might wear our sin; sin that was then buried with him in his grave. Through the power of his resurrection we now live in harmony with God; the bark of sin stripped from our lives.

As the forgiven people God, may we resist the urge to layer ourselves with things that would protect us from being hurt and take the risk of becoming vulnerable with each other. Then, in that vulnerability, discover the gift of harmony.

Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.