The cold, winter night screamed with artillery, mortar and machine gun fire. In spite of the continual flashes of lights from explosions, it was difficult to see. It was much harder to think. Maybe it was their sheer survival instincts or combat training that drove the young band of soldiers across enemy lines. Maybe it just had to be done.

My dad’s face turned pale as he retold of the horrible images that came to haunt him from that night during WWII. He continued, and said, “We were running between explosions. We couldn’t tell whether they came from our own cover fire or theirs. When it came too close I jumped down into a nearby foxhole. Then I realized that it was already occupied. A German soldier faced me with his rifle pointed straight at my chest!”

“Did ya shoot him, dad?” asked my little brother.

“No,” said dad. “We just stared at each other. Finally, the soldier lowered his weapon and surrendered to me.”

“Did ya bust him up real good, dad?” asked my other brother.

“No,” chuckled my dad. “We just talked while waiting for the morning light. We couldn’t leave the foxhole without getting ourselves killed.”

Dad went on to describe what they talked about that night. The young soldier was the son of a farmer who was drafted into the German army. He considered himself a Christian and honor bound to serve his country. He prayed that God would protect him and his people. He prayed that the war would soon be over. My dad was the son of a grocer. He told the young German that he had been saying the same prayers. Both of them had found “common ground” in their faith, life and dreams. If it were not for the war, they could have been good friends.

Look around. Do you see friends or foes hunkered down in the foxholes we call “church buildings”? Do you see “the enemy” that needs to be shot or “busted up real good”? Or do you see folks like yourself who want to do the right thing for the right reasons but find themselves on the other side of the foxhole with you?

If we love Jesus as we claim then we will do all that we can to find “common ground.” It will take a lot of understanding for sure. It will take a lot of patience. It will take the love of Christ. Let us lower our rifles and surrender to Jesus. He will bring us to complete unity, if we let Him live in our lives. Let us talk together in peace while we wait for the Morning Light.

Jesus prayed for His followers, saying, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:23).