Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

Confession time...I'm a big crybaby. Okay, maybe not so much of a big confession, those of you who know me know I can be emotional, especially when talking about the love of God. So, as I read this morning's passage from Ephesians 4:25-5:2 I got a little teary eyed.

The author of Ephesians has a way of getting right to the heart of things. I don't mean s/he finds the center, rather s/he knows precisely what words are needed to connect your mind with your soul. In seminary we call this type of talking "heart-speak"; the ability to put into words what the heart is feeling. It's not something easy to do, but in Ephesians if we open our heart just enough we can feel as well as read what is trying to be said.

In this particular passage we read from the very beginning that we need to speak the truth with one another. I find it interesting how those words are followed with the statement that it's okay to be angry, just don't let the sun go down on that anger. This might be the best advice one can take from this passage; do not give up on each other. Don't let feelings of anger separate you from one another. Keep working at finding a way to get over the anger so the relationship can continue.

I can't even begin to tell you of how many people I know who have stopped talking to family members or friends because of a "fight" they had last week, or last month, or last year, or a long time ago. I ask them why they just don't patch things up and the reply is almost always, "I don't think it would matter".

I want to quote a line from Elton John's song, "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me"

I can't find, Oh the romantic line
But see me once and see the way I feel
Don't discard me just because you think I mean you harm
But these cuts I have they need love to help them heal

Elton John understood the pain of being discarded because of anger as much as he understood how love can heal those pains. Yes, we're all going to have disagreements with loved ones; it's almost impossible not to. What we should try to remember is that as we strive to live the love shown to us by God though Christ we also strive to love those around us in the same way.

So, today find someone you have/had a disagreement with and let them know you love them enough to try and work out whatever your differences are/were. Who knows, maybe you'll find an inner peace that has been missing.