Succotash

There's nothing better in the summertime than succotash made from fresh garden tomatoes, okra, and corn. Now, some people will try to tell you succotash has beans in it. They are mistaken. The perfect bowl of piping hot succotash has home-grown tomatoes harvested at their peak, home-grown okra sliced and ready to go, and corn hand sliced off the cob, preferably silver queen, but any corn will do. It is manna from heaven!
I also have some strong feelings about barbeque. I was born in Lexington, NC, and therefore prefer my barbeque Lexington-style, with a vinegar-tomato based sauce.  There are other forms of barbeque, I will acknowledge that, but they are the lesser forms of the species. They taste alright, and will do if there is nothing else available, but it's hard to settle when you've had the best.
All kidding aside, we all have our opinions. Some of them are more firmly entrenched than others. This is especially so, it seems, when it comes to our faith. The Moravian church has a motto that I really like when it comes to disagreements in the church:
      "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."
Not only is that good church policy, it's good life policy! You may put beans in your succotash, but ultimately I still love you as a child of God no matter what. You may make Kansas-style barbeque, but I'll still have you over for dinner. Those differences are non-essential; so is what color we paint the walls in the church library or nursery - as is whether we have four ushers or six and whether they are women or youth or men. These are the things we should compromise on for the good of the body of Christ. It's not a power struggle. It's not about who's right or wrong. It's just beans or okra!
The essentials - those we don't compromise on. They are the tenets of our faith. Things like the doctrine of the Trinity, forgiveness for all who believe, and grace, mercy and pardon in the name of Christ. Those things we cling to for dear life! The "Top Ten" - the Ten Commandments - and the "Golden Rule"; the Great Commision; the greatest commandment; all of these are not open for compromise. In these things, we seek and work diligently for unity of understanding and practice.
In all things, charity. Love. The greatest force in the universe. From the time we are children, we hear the stories of how all kinds of evil can be dispersed with "true love's kiss." Even the secular world will acknowledge the power of love. Jesus, when asked what the greatest commandment was answered, "You must love the Lord your God with all you heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself."  (Matthew 22:37-39 NLT) Love covers it all. Love conquers death. Love trumps disputes, conflicts and disagreements. Love is the most important thing we can do. Love is essential to our health and well-being. It is also essential to our families, communities, indeed, to our world. The old song says it all, "It's love that makes the world go 'round."
So, maybe I'll try your succotash with beans. You try my vinegar based barbeque. And we'll call it a covered dish and invite everyone we know and share it - in love.