U-N-I-T-Y

Today's culture is a divisive one. This is especially true with the upcoming presidential election. Are you team felon or team cackle? Do you choose the guy who's already served as president or the lady who has served the past four years as vice president? Are you conservative or liberal? If it was just down to choice, maybe we wouldn't see such a volatile environment right now. Instead, if you choose the opposite side of someone else, you can lose friends. You can become estranged from family members. Social media is blowing up with vitriol toward each side, and it hasn't been getting better. I even watched a woman scream obscenities at a child because she didn't like that her father was a conservative at a recent democratic rally...an adult screaming at a child. It's almost as if we are two different countries living on the same land. A rallying cry for the US has always been "United we stand, divided we fall." I'm not sure we are that united.
 
Unity is a word that gets tossed around a lot, but what does it really mean for us as followers of Christ? In John 17:21-23, Jesus prays, "that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." This isn't just a casual request; it's a profound desire for His disciples to reflect the unity of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Have you ever watched a symphony orchestra? The stage is full of people. Many times, there can be upwards of 100 instrumentalists up there. Each musician plays a different instrument, yet when they come together, they create a harmonious masterpiece. Some instruments are able to perform amazing solo works that tug at the heart. Others just aren't made to do that. They play more of a support role. Imagine a 5-minute solo performance on the symbols. Yet, when these instruments join together, something amazing happens. The music comes to life. That's the kind of unity Jesus desires for us. It's not about uniformity, where everyone looks and acts the same, but about harmony, where our diverse backgrounds and gifts come together to glorify God.

In 2016, I got the opportunity to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with 15 other people. We were from all over the United States, and as a result, we all had different ways of looking at life, politics, and faith. There were definitely some awkward interactions and conversations at the beginning, but by the end of the trip, we were working together seamlessly, and we attacked our common goal with a common purpose. We raised over $100,000 to build wells in Ethiopia and plant churches in those villages. It was a living example of John 17:22, where Jesus says, "The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one."

Unity in the body of Christ is not just a nice idea; it's essential for our witness to the world. When we are united, we reflect the love and glory of God, and we draw others to Him. We become like a lighthouse shining brightly in the darkness, guiding ships safely to shore.
Let's get real for a second. Unity isn't always easy. We all have our quirks and differences, and sometimes those can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts. We can have the best intentions, yet our follow-through can be lacking. Have you ever tried to put a puzzle together that was missing pieces or had pieces from another puzzle in it that just didn't fit? When things don't go together how they should, we can really get frustrated. But here's the thing: God is the master puzzle maker. He knows how each piece fits together, and when we trust Him, He brings our picture into view, and it's always far more beautiful when it's done His way.

In John 17:23, Jesus prays, "I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." Our unity is a testimony to the world of God's love and the truth of the Gospel. It's a powerful witness that can break down barriers and bring people to Christ.

So, how do we cultivate this unity? How do we come together as one? It all starts with our relationship with Jesus. As we draw closer to Him personally, we naturally draw closer to one another communally. It's like spokes on a wheel—each spoke is connected to the center, and as they move closer to the center, they move closer to each other.

There was once a story about a group of porcupines trying to survive a cold winter. They huddled together for warmth, but their quills kept poking each other, causing pain and injury. This led to conflict and frustration. Eventually, they learned to adjust their positions, finding a balance where they could stay warm without hurting each other. They found a way to move past their struggle together. In a way, that's what unity in the church looks like. We may have our "quills." We may, without trying, hurt each other, but as we learn to love and forgive one another, we find a way to stay connected and strong.
 
As disciples, we are Following Christ, Being Changed by Christ, and are Committed to the Mission of Christ. Unity is not just about getting along; it's about being "on mission" together. It's about sharing the Gospel and making disciples. When we are united, we can accomplish so much more for the Kingdom of God.

As we reflect on Jesus' prayer for unity, let's remember that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We are part of the body of Christ, a diverse and beautiful tapestry woven together by God's love. And as we live out this unity, we become a powerful witness to the world of the transforming power of the Gospel. We get the opportunity to be on the winning team.