It may not be the longest word in the world, or even in the United States, but it certainly qualifies for consideration as one of the most difficult to pronounce.
NAROMIYOCKNOWUSUNKALANKSHUNK. It’s the name of a small stream near Milford, Connecticut. It is an Indian word which is said to mean, “You fish on your end of the stream; I’ll fish on mine.” In modern jargon, it means, “You mind your business; I’ll mind mine.”
I believe God’s blessings are withheld from his children because of grudges and secret resentments harbored. Too many Christians have decided on the course of “peaceful coexistence” because of some small differences that became so large they couldn’t get along with one another. People worship side by side who will not speak to one another. Perhaps even worse, people segregate into separate congregations because of some little matter that they allowed to become large. They call one another “brother” and “sister” while the surrounding community laughs. At worst, grudges are nourished, resentment reigns. At best, some level of grudging fellowship is maintained. Regardless, the gospel is crippled.
“You fish on your end of the stream; I’ll fish on mine.” Such an attitude may avoid open conflict, but it does not fulfill our responsibility as Christians when we are at odds with another Christian. The course of “peaceful coexistence” will not bring us to the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We who have spoken against ecumenical movements in which people “agree to disagree” ought to examine our own lives, lest we fall.
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 3:14; 4:20). “Moreover if they brother shall trespass against thee, go…. (Matt. 18:15).
The same Christ who reconciles us to God makes it possible for us to be reconciled to one another when differences arise. Jesus came to break down the vertical barriers erected by sin; he also came to break down walls between brothers (Ephesians 2). Here’s a scary thought–our reconciliation with God depends upon our reconciliation to one another (Matt. 5:24).