Unity

“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!”

Psalm 133:1 NRSV

A few years ago news of a passenger plane coming down in the Hudson River in New York City shocked the nation—the world. Pictures were shown on televisions across the country of a plane floating in the cold water and passengers standing on its wings. Unbelievable! But, it was true!

The pilot was deemed a hero for bringing that plane down safely. He could very well have crashed right smack in the city. But, he maneuvered this huge plane, filled to capacity, down where no one outside the plane would be affected—and where there was help near-by. It surely was a miracle!

The second miracle was that everyone survived. This could not have happened if all those people had not worked together. If they had not stayed calm and helped one another out the door of the plane onto its wings, which is where the camera showed them standing, waiting to be rescued.

Unity seems to be a lost art in today’s world, at least, every day unity. Why is it that we come together during tragedies such as the plane crash I have just described—or something like the Twin Towers in New York City being destroyed by terrorists—or school shootings like Sandy Hook and the Parkland school—or fire, tornadoes, hurricanes, mudslides—why is it these are the times when unity comes about? Why can we not enjoy unity and harmony on a daily basis?

Paul addressed this unity in the letters he wrote to the churches that had been formed under his watch. The seven churches referred to in Revelation (2&3) were also on the hook for their disunity. They—and we—have forgotten our first love, which transcends all humanity. One day we will all have to stand before the judgment seat of Almighty God and give an account of who we are and what we have done. At that time there is no sense of lying or misrepresenting your words and actions. Because God already knows it all.

Unity doesn’t mean joining in a mob or gang or protest march and everyone believes and acts the same. It is not about agreeing with everyone else’s ideas. It is, however, having a sense of responsibility for each other. Which, incidentally, is how everyone survived in the plane crash I described earlier. But, responsibility is also becoming a lost art.

Unity, responsibility, and connection are foreign to many people. We must remember the importance of maintaining the connection with our fellow man to ensure a thriving community. In the Bible, God encourages us to take care of each other while obeying the Word of God.

Don’t wait for a tragedy to happen to bring you into unity with those around you. Strife and stress are the enemies of unity. They are instruments of the Enemy, but they can be overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within you. And you can tap into that power by reading the Word of God, keeping the communication lines open between you and God through your daily prayer, and reaching out and touching someone in perfect harmony.

Dear Lord, give me a revelation of unity—a deep revelation of how vital unity is—that will change my perspective. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN

Genesis 13:8   I Corinthians 1:10   Colossians 3:14   Romans 13:8