Walking side by side means simply that. Why do people in general want to be on top or over someone else? I believe it generally has to do with wounds. A whole and healed person is secure and doesn’t have to put up these defenses. Wounded people always do.

I am saddened by the state of the Christian church in general. There are so many leaders who want to be served rather than serve. The apostle Paul and the early disciples were servants. They modeled their lives after Jesus. They gave their lives for the gospel. So many are only interested in prosperity even at the expense of their people.

What would happen if there was a prototype again of the true Church? What if men and women operated in their true roles and there wasn’t any fighting? What if people would treat each other with the respect and the love that was due? Could it change the world? Would it give the Church credibility? Would the lost be interested in finding out more about Jesus?

Who are we really? Every person has a soul that will live beyond the years of their physical body. Each one of us has a right to become all that God created us to be. We each have a destiny and a function or role to play in this life. At the end of our lives it doesn’t matter what someone else did to us, it only matters what we did with our life. Every man has a role to play. Every woman has a role to play. Are we the same? Absolutely not. Are we above one or the other. Absolutely not. Our souls are not male or female, however our physical bodies are. We are created different in this aspect to carry out different functions. It doesn’t make one less or more.

I am so grieved over the competition between men and women. I understand why, but that doesn’t make it right. I believe that if a man is truly a man, a woman wouldn’t have any problem being a woman by his side. I believe the opposite is also true. So how do we get there. It takes courage, faith and love. It takes guts to stand up and be willing to get hurt so that someone else might be healed. It takes an understanding that maybe the Lord is big enough and able to help you endure and also change others around you.

Are you willing to stand up and be counted? Are you willing to lay down your ego to really live your life? Do you think you might be able to walk your path so that others can come along and walk theirs and that together we might be able to make a difference? I dare you to take the challenge. Can you see what is awaiting you on the other side of where you are? Don’t you think you might like to take a look? It’s your choice. Will we see you there?

May the Lord encourage and strengthen you daily. May you soar upon His wings of grace. May you experience His love and truth. You are loved. You are precious. He knows you by name. Walk with Him.

Joseph