" Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.." (I John 4:7-8 ESV)
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (I Corinthians 12:12 ESV)
Have you ever been a part of a choir or a band? There is something wonderful about learning the same song. Practicing individually, preparing for the performance. Then joining together and singing.
In the 2010 – 2011 school year, my coworkers and I learned a song to the words of I John where we are told that “God is love.” During the year we practiced as part of staff devotions. We practiced our different parts and then we came together again. It was good to hear so many voices, various people and various walks of life and subjects, join as one.
Just before school began in 2011, the staff went on a retreat. We gathered to grow in fellowship with some new staff and refocus on the calling God placed before us, preparing to serve the students and their families that year. As we sat on the floor in the common room, our voices rose together in various songs. Then someone suggested we sing “God is Love,” The Greatest Commands (by Janice Detweiler). Those of us who remained at the school, having not practiced together in months, sang in unison. It felt good to be together again. It was like this song represented us, flowed through us. I remember some new coworkers asking when they could learn the song too.
That seems to always be the question on this earth. When can we join in the song? It takes time, but each person has a part in the song. Over time, the voices change. We can’t go back to 2010, pulling our small groups of the same people into the same parts and then back together to harmonize with the rest. My coworkers from that year have spread across oceans, they span across continents. I pray we are still singing the same song, that of God’s love while loving Him and others well. Someday our voices will join those in heaven and we will at last be together again.
Isn’t this the joy of being a Christian? We are one body in Christ. Each one is a part of it! The most excellent way is this, love. (I Corinthians 13)
Dear Jesus, Thank You for the unity we have in You. Thank you that You cause us to be one. I look forward to the day when we are with You and Your people. In Your name, Amen.
Where have you seen the beauty of true unity?
How have you seen God's love in the people around you?
Here's someone's recording of the song, The Greatest Commands.
