Building a Harmonious Family
By Diane Hale
Is having a healthy family an impossible dream? With conflicts pressures
and misunderstandings, dare we hope to ever experience harmony in our
marriages, our families and interpersonal relationships? With diversity of
doctrines, denominations, and dogmas, can we expect the prayer of Jesus,
“Father make them one,” to ever come to pass? These questions may be
combined into one: Is unity possible?
The Problem is Not New
Luke describes an incident where the disciples had just come down from the
Mount of Transfiguration. Their hearts overflowed with the glorious light that
had shone around them. They had witnessed the glow of heaven beaming from
the face of their Master. The saints of glory had stood by His side and the sound
of His Father’s voice had been like thunder to their ears. They walked with Him
and watched, as from the mountain top, He reached the valley below. They were
in awe as He rebuked the demons and healed the sick.
They, along with all the people, stood and “…were all amazed at the mighty
power of God!” Yet, it was at this ecstatic moment that Jesus predicted an act of
disloyalty: “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about
to be betrayed into the hands of men” (Luke