Good morning, DearHeart.
In my home, in my circles, in my worklife, in my church, I have a steady fascination with watching God’s hand form HIS unity. Mostly because I’m fascinated with what our Creator does with IMPOSSIBLE situations, and if you stick in a group long enough, then impossible situations always arise. Right?
I’ve also found that impossible situation is where our Master shows His finest work on our stubborn hearts.
To unite is to come together for a unique purpose. That is my definition.
It can be a challenge to unite. Have you noticed? Yet when operating in unity, we form a single whole, no distinction or separation is seen. Each one comprising the whole has similar thoughts and attitudes – enough that the similar outweighs the polar.
We come together to form the whole. I love that thought. It doesn’t say that each one is a carbon of the other. We each come with our personalities and quirks all our own and somehow, when we are united, the entire purpose is fulfilled.
But … how do we get to grow in unity?
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love,
being one in spirit, and purpose.” (Philippians 2: 1-2, NIV)
Break it down. Mmm.
We are enabled to unite as we unite ourselves with Christ through His love. It’s Christ.
As our hearts stay tender and compassionate towards one another, our desire to live united with others grows within us. (I really want to all-caps that sentence). Read it again.
We often think of unity as being for our good here on earth. And it is. But this is what stood out to me this morning …
We make Jesus truly happy when we
agree with one another,
love one another,
and work together with one mind for His purposes.
It is His joy that is made complete. He rejoices when He sees His children living in unity. And, in Him is where it happens.
“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care —then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
Philippians 2:1-4 MSG
Wake up.
Unite.
Pray for it.
Go.