Matthew 5:23,24: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
Uganda revivalist Bishop Festo Kivengere tells of arguing with his wife in the kitchen on one occasion, shortly before he was due to preach in the community. He then said goodbye and left the house, but God convicted him and told him to go back home. He relays the ensuing dialogue as follows:
“Festo,” said the Lord, “you go back and apologise to your wife.” “But Lord, I’ve got a very important sermon to preach.” “You go and apologise to your wife.” “But Lord, there are hundreds of people waiting for me and we’re going to have a good time tonight.” “You go and apologise to your wife.” “But Lord, I’m almost late and someone’s waiting to collect me.” “All right,” the Lord said, “you go and preach your sermon and I’m going to stay with your wife in the kitchen.”
Bishop Festo ended the story as follows: “I went back into the kitchen and apologised. So there was revival in the kitchen before there was revival in the community!”
I’m totally nailed by that story and the above verse, having just had the exact same scenario with my wife! I couldn’t go on writing this without apologizing, in the kitchen, and reconciling over miscommunicated plans with visitors coming in a few hours!
We can all relate to having arguments, but Jesus’ warning in our verse is one of the most sober challenges in the Bible. If we’ve got any unresolved issues with anyone that we can do anything about, he tells us to deal with them before expecting there to be blessing in our relationship with him.
Is there any relationship breakdown or situation you need to address? It’s worth getting peace in the kitchen…!
Lord, I resolve to pursue reconciliation with … today. Amen!
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