UNITY

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it;

or one member be honored, all members rejoice with it.  
1 Corinthians 12:26

It seems messages that promote independence fill our eyes and our ears.  Inspirational posters, billboards, radio ads, television commercials, even movie plots shout loudly about standing strong – alone.

Apparently, the tendency toward being a lone wolf is nothing new; Paul’s message to the Corinthian church addressed this very inclination. To counter this trend, Paul reminded his reader that unity in the church is paramount.

          Unity cannot exist where independence is promoted. Unity requires interdependence – all races, all genders, and all ages connected at the heart and supporting one another through the good, the bad, and the ugly. For Christ’s church, unity is the ideal toward which we strive.

          A life of unity is one of bowing to the needs of others. Unity does not demand its own way but considers others before self. Unity applauds diversity and celebrates the abundance its unique vision brings. Unity reaches across all barriers, suffering or rejoicing with others as members of Christ’s body on earth.

Father, open my hear toward all those whose lives I touch.

Let me be an instrument of unity in Your church.

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