(The following is the July 4 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Romans 15 and pay close attention to verses 1-6.)
Imagine you have many children. Gathering with them is one of your greatest joys. Picture them together on a particular day to honor you. They plan to sing songs, share stories, and celebrate your love. You anticipate their display of love and unity. But then…
One of them does something unkind to another. The offended one retaliates. More become distracted from their purpose, taking their eyes off you and directing their attention to each other. They choose sides in the argument. Soon, it is almost as if you are not even present. Nobody honors you as planned. The joy everyone could have shared is lost. They are all still your children, and you love them, but you are disappointed in how far short they fell from what was possible.
Any human analogy about God falls short since we are not God. Still, our heavenly Father must occasionally feel somewhat like the parent in the scenario above. He adopts us into his family and calls us to live together in a unified community called the church. We have his written instructions for living privately, in a faith community, and publicly in the world. He has repeatedly told us the importance of unity and pleasing others more than ourselves. Yet we allow selfishness or differences in personal preferences to prevent us from experiencing profound moments otherwise possible.
Paul told the Romans, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (vv. 5-6).
May we gather around our Father as loving, obedient children, united in purpose, of one mind and voice, with beautiful harmony.
Next Step:
Are you involved in or aware of a disagreement among Christians causing disunity? What can you do to de-escalate the issue and help the group unite again in Christ?
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