There are all kinds of walls that separate people from each other — emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical.

Various political opinions have divided this nation in ways that have reached unprecedented levels. There are various dietary groups that have caused divisions — vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, gluten free. There are those that are pro-vaccination and anti-vaccination.

There are gun advocates and anti-gun advocates. There are those who still allow themselves to get riled up because of the color of another’s skin.

The divisions within the Body of Christ are innumerable. Different theological positions exist on just about everything — the sacraments, versions of the Bible, the Trinity, styles of worship, levels of service to communities. The list is endless.

In the 18th chapter of Acts, Peter tells about a vision he had. In it he saw what looked like a large sheet being lowered from heaven. On it were all kinds of “unclean” animals, the flesh of which were to never be eaten by Jews.

In the vision, Peter was told by God to kill and eat. But Peter refused, saying nothing unclean had ever entered his mouth.

Peter then said, “But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ The Spirit told me to … not make a distinction between [Gentiles] and us.”

God’s message to Peter — and us — is that God does not wish for us to make distinctions among ourselves. At the very core of who every person is, we are each a child of God. It doesn’t matter if we don’t share the same ideology, or theology, or dietary convictions. It doesn’t matter if we love or hate guns, or appreciate dogs rather than cats.

We are called to look beyond the surface of a person to what is deep in their heart. We are to look beyond our differences and find what unites us together, the fact that we are each created, cleansed, and claimed by God.

Does this mean that we need to condone evil and prejudice? Absolutely not. A person’s actions may be judged, and when necessary, disciplined. We have to be willing to look at what it is about a person that God loves and share that love. This is why it is possible to hate the sin, but still love the sinner.

Can you look beyond the superficial aspects that would want to make you look at someone as inferior? Can you look beyond inappropriate behavior to discover the gift of who the person is beyond the surface? Can you love others because it is the right thing to do? Can you tear down the walls?

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tear down the walls

During World War II, the ten Boom family was living in Haarlem, Holland when the Germans occupied that country. The family members were committed Christians and during the next few years they helped smuggle some 800 Jews out of the country. On Feb. 28, 1944, the Gestapo raided their home and sent the family to concentration camps.

Corrie ten Boom and her sister, Betsy, were sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp located near Berlin. It was one of the worst camps, with an overcrowded and flea-infested building.

On the first morning, the sisters were reading 1 Thessalonians and were reminded to rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters.

Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas, but Betsy persisted, and Corrie finally succumbed to her pleadings. During the months spent at the camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings without interference from the guards.

It was not until several months later that they learned the reason the guards would not enter the barracks: the fleas.

We are often told to look at the bright side of challenging and difficult times. It is not easy to do. Some people can only see immediate events in their lives. They worry, wring their hands, fret, sweat, debate, cry. Some get so wound up about an issue, they cannot see straight.

If circumstances are such that you must endure difficulties and hardships, seek God’s wisdom. Ask God what is to be learned and gained by going through the circumstances that try to beat you down. Ask God how he is helping you right at that moment.

With your eyes focused on God, you will recognize how he is present, how he is helping, and how he is going to work everything out for the good. As you do this, you will be able to give thanks for “fleas.” There will always be something helpful, beneficial, strengthening, or grace-filled to come from every situation — even when it may not seem like it.

So remember the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Giving thanks for the fleas in life

In Matthew 28:16–20, you will find what is commonly known as The Great Commission. Jesus tells his disciples (and us), "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

The commission is a call to action. Jesus gave his authority to his disciples and to us. And we are to serve our Lord as his representatives.

So go. To do what?

Go, therefore and make disciples: The church exists to make disciples by talking about, living, and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The church exists to worship God, to serve God and to love God.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations: To accomplish this, God has given some the gift for international mission. Truthfully, that’s not one of mine. But I thank God for those who do have this call. They take the good news of Jesus Christ to the farthest reaches of the world.

Do you know where the largest mission field is right now? Right outside your front door. You don’t have to go to faraway lands to be a missionary. There are more people than ever in this country — in your neighborhood, on your street — who need to know who Jesus is.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations baptizing them: Baptism is an outward and visible symbol of an inward and spiritual grace. It signifies the washing away of sin. It signifies dying to sin and rising to new life in the living Christ.

Baptism also conveys another huge message. Dipped or sprinkled, adults or infants – baptism also communicates belonging. Those baptized are welcomed into the family of Jesus Christ.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them … and teaching them. Each person needs to be engaged in teaching the faith to others. You don’t have to know everything in order to teach. You don’t have to know every command or expectation in the Bible.

The main part about teaching is having the desire to demonstrate, by the way you live and speak, what the Bible intends. As it was said centuries ago, "You may be the only Bible someone reads."

Jesus then said, "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

This means that God doesn’t ask us to go anywhere or do anything wherein he isn’t going to send his Spirit with us.

Live the Great Commission. As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to faithfully do as he says.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Go and do the Great Commission

The evening of the same day Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples were still in fear for their lives. They were meeting in the upper room in which they had celebrated the Passover feast with Jesus just three days prior.

The doors were locked. The windows were secured. The followers of Jesus were quite stressed out for fear they would also be arrested and receive the same fate as Jesus. Imagine them straining to listen for any sound of approaching danger — creaks on the stairs, muffled conversation outside on the street.

Then, without warning, Jesus stood among them. In my imagination I see Jesus raising his hand and saying, “Hi guys!” causing them to jump out of their skin.

But he quickly says, “Peace be with you.” He was assuring them it was he, and that they could be calm. They could feel safe because of his presence.

To help prove it was him, he showed them his hands and side. There they saw the telltale wounds he suffered just three days before. It really was Jesus.

He said once again, “Peace be with you.” He doubly wanted to assure them that he was alive and with them. All the disciples believed — well, all except one. Thomas was not present when Jesus was there. We don’t know where he was, but he was not in that upper room.

When Thomas returned from where he had gone, the others excitedly told him that Jesus had been with them. Thomas doubted them. He said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

Thomas wanted proof! He had invested so much time and energy, had sacrificed so much to follow Jesus that he didn’t want to get sucked into the others’ delusions. He didn’t want to get his hopes up, only to have them dashed again. The testimony of his fellow believers wasn’t enough.

It’s that way today, too, isn’t it? People want proof. The word of our Lord’s followers isn’t good enough.

So what proof can be given? We can live the words of our Lord to the absolute best of our ability, to demonstrate what Jesus has taught and what he expects of us.

Live the Easter message. Live what Christ teaches. Worship the Lord your God. Nurture discipleship. Serve God’s people. Remember the words of someone long ago: “You may be the only Bible someone reads.”

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Live like Christ as proof to others