Unity

2 Chronicles 30:12
…the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD.

This week, one friend was discharged from hospital after a major surgery, another was admitted to hospital for heart issues and one of our sons has been in and out of hospital in response to a serious hand injury and the ensuing infection.

Through all of these situations one thing has been abundantly clear.  The support of the body of Christ (our friends in the church) is invaluable.  The love, prayer and encouragement surrounding us is absolutely amazing!

Someone tells someone else that there is a need and then the network begins to spread.  Meals are delivered, visits made, prayers sent Heavenward.  Phone calls and hugs and followups.  All because we are one body and the body does not miss when one of its parts are hurting or in need.

Psalm 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

On Tuesday, we had a new friend over.  She was doing a special cooking class with our eldest daughter and one of her friends.  What a wonderful gift that time was.  They all laughed together and prayed together and made a delicious meal that we were able to enjoy together.  What drew us together?  We are one in the body of Christ.

Someone was telling me this week about a friend of hers who is a lovely lady in many ways but she has an unforgiving spirit.  As a result, she is easily offended and holds a grudge.  This makes it difficult to get close to her or be her friend.  It is easy to get in the mindset that things are about, Me Me Me, but that’s not God’s plan.  Over and over, He talks about the importance of our relationships.  We need each other.  Not just when times are tough, but the fellowship and growth that come from relationships with other believers are beyond compare.

Ephesians 4:3
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Sometimes at our church, we are told to get up and go around for five minutes shaking hands and touching base with one another.  I find this difficult as I am not good at small talk.  I have discovered that if I ask God, He will direct me to one or two people with whom I really need to connect.

When I read my Bible, I don’t need to read chapters at a time but I do need to invest in the reading that I do.  It is the same with the people around me.  I don’t need to be with everyone every time but when we’re together it has got to count.

Take time today to invest in someone else.  Rejoice and be thankful for the amazing blessing that comes from relationships with God’s people.  If it is within your power, reach out to someone today to lift them up and encourage them.

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.