[blindchristian] The Door of Reconciliation, March 25, 2015

From: "Victoria E Gilkerson" <vegilkerson@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <blindchristian@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <theblink830@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2015 06:19:59 -0500
 

 

March 25, 2015

THE DOOR OF RECONCILIATION                     

  

For he himself [Christ] is our peace, who has made the two one and has
destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. Ephesians 2:14

If you should visit St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, you will find an old,
weathered door dating back to the year 1492. In the center of this door, you
will notice that a section of the door is missing. One of the planks making
up the door has a section that has been hacked out of it-about five inches
wide and a foot or so high. So what's the story behind the door?

An inscription reads as follows: "In 1492, two great Irish families, the
Butlers of Ormond and the Fitzgeralds of Kildare, were engaged in a bitter
and bloody feud. Seeking sanctuary, Black James, nephew of the Earl of
Ormond, and his men fled into the Chapter House. The Fitzgeralds followed in
hot pursuit.

"Their leader, Gerald Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, realized that the
fighting was out of control. Through the closed door he pleaded with Black
James to accept a truce. Suspecting treachery, Black James refused to let
Fitzgerald inside. Fitzgerald hacked a hole in the door and thrust his arm
through as a pledge of his good faith.

"This daring gesture was enough. The door opened and the two warring
factions received one another in peace. Some believe that this event is the
origin of the expression 'to chance your arm,' meaning, to take the
initiative. The door has become known as the 'Door of Reconciliation'."

That feud was described as "bitter and bloody." Today, perhaps somewhat more
civil, we have ceased from killing each other, at least most of the time,
but many domestic conflicts today could be described as "bitter and brutal."
We inflict emotional wounds on each other that we bear for life.

How would you like to have been an eye-witness to the drama that unfolded
with the Butlers on one side of the door, the Fitzgeralds on the other?
Imagine the conversation, the disbelief that Gerald Fitzgerald was sincere
when he said, "Listen, Black James, it's time for the bloodshed to stop.
Open the door and let's talk."

Is there a door, a wall as solid as granite, which seals you from one with
whom you have had a disagreement? Try these guidelines for settling the
feud.

Guideline #1: Ponder the cost of hatred and bitterness. Some feuds never
end. People go to their deaths with hatred and bitterness. Those emotions
not only kill friendships and relationships, they poison you as well.
There's a high cost to unresolved conflict.

Guideline #2: Seize the initiative. Like Gerald Fitzgerald, take the first
step towards a truce. "Blessed are the peacemakers," said Jesus. You have a
great deal to win, little to lose by calling for a cease fire.

Guideline #3: Take the risk. Remember the expression, "to chance your arm"?
Hey, it's possible that Gerald Fitzgerald could have had his arm chopped off
when he sawed a hole in the door and in friendship thrust an open hand
towards his enemy. True, there's always risk in calling for a truce, but
there is far greater risk in failing to do so.

Guideline #4: Break down the door. Ultimately that means forgive your enemy.
Jesus was explicit. Don't expect God to forgive you when you refuse to
forgive another (see Matthew 6:14). Forgiveness doesn't mean, "What you did
to me is OK!" It means, "I give up my right to hurt you because you hurt
me." Paul wrote that God "reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry
of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Is it your husband or wife? Your brother who cheated you out of the
inheritance? Your business associate who stole from you? Or whomever. It's
time to chop a hole in the door of separation and declare a truce. Be the
strong one who takes the first step. Someday your grandchildren will thank
you for it.

 

Resource reading: Ephesians 2.

 

 

Disclaimer: The preceding material was written by Dr. Harold J. Sala, and is
copyrighted. You are authorized to download this selection and use it for
your own personal use. Reproduction for sale or financial profit is
prohibited. Permission to reprint should be obtained by contacting
Guidelines at e-mail address: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx or mailing address: 26161
Marguerite Parkway. Suite F, Mission Viejo, CA  92692,

 

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Victoria E Gilkerson
[blindchristian] The Door of Reconciliation, March 25, 2015

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