I like this cartoon! It says a great deal about life; especially how we view others! People do things in different ways; some fast, some slow. Learning to appreciate those around us is something we hopefully learn to cultivate as we grow. If this applies to all of us, how much more for the body of Christ. In the world, loving our fellow human beings happens sometimes, but it is NOT THE NORM! If it were, crime and warfare as we know it would cease. Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen anytime soon, BUT for those who call themselves Christians, it SHOULD BE THE NORMAL WAY OF LIVING!!! Part of the Christian lifestyle is loving those we don't fully understand, because Christ has loved us. The following passage from the book of first Corinthians gives us a glimpse into the Christian life....
WEB: I Corinthians Chapter 12
[12] For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. [14] For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. [16] If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? [18] But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. [19] If they were all one member, where would the body be? [20] But now they are many members, but one body. [21] The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” [22] No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. [23] Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; [24] whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, [25] that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. [26] When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
[27] Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. [28] God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? [30] Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? [31] But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.
Paul shows the reality of Christianity; we are all striving to appreciate and love those who are are our fellow Christians. The recipients of this letter were Christians who were having problems with maturity in Christ. They just didn't get it at first. Later, they did, but not without problems. Isn't that the way it is with most of us? It takes us awhile to appreciate others and even longer to love them. Beyond the reality of the situation, Paul is leading up to a cure for their problem, which he discusses in chapter thirteen of this letter. LOVE IS THE ANSWER! Paul says:
World English Bible: I Corinthians Chapter 13
[1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.
[4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, [5] doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.
Don't worry so much about what the other fellow is doing; how fast they may be growing in their Christianity... Concentrate on loving others and being understanding. Then it really won't matter what others do; you will be going at just the right speed, whether you are a snail, a turtle or maybe even a jack rabbit....