His Way With People
One of the places where the faith of William Greathouse showed most clearly was in the way he dealt with people. I think this is true of all real people of God. Their dealing with people reflects the way Jesus dealt with people. So when I read these words about Greathouse in the foreword of his biography Crucified With Christ: The Life and Ministry of William Marvin Greathouse, they really inspired me: "As many have said of him, he is always the same. He has had numerous opportunities to manifest negative attitudes toward others who opposed and criticized him (usually unfairly) but always put the best possible interpretation on their behaviour and always sought to maintain open communication with such persons."
The Challenge of People Skills
One thing I have learned in my seven or so years of ministry in a church is that people are not easy. I preach on this regularly at my church, because what I have noticed is that there is almost always some tension between people, some relationships taking strain, someone feeling hurt or disrespected. The church is, in a sense, always on the cusp of division, and if we aren't very careful and very intentional about the way we deal with each other, we could easily do great damage quite quickly.
Reading these words about Greathouse's way with people made me think about my own way with people. Because I have also had numerous opportunities to manifest negative attitudes toward people who oppose or criticize me—and I wondered, as I read that, if I have shown the same grace and generosity as Greathouse. He was able to see the best in people, even those who were against him. He was able to treat such people fairly and kindly and avoid any bitterness or resentment or unkindness.
Choosing the Christ-like Response
How I long to offer the same type of godly, Christlike love!
It's easy to write people off. It's hard to seek reconciliation... but it's the Christlike way.
It's easy to snap back at people. It's hard to breathe and try to see things from their perspective... but it's the Christlike way.
It's easy to speak negatively about people. It's hard to see the best in those who are against you... but it's the Christlike way.
Let's seek the Christlike way. Greathouse did it. So can we.
