The Beauty of Unity

Behold, how good and how pleasant

it is for brethren to dwell together

in unity!

Psalm 133:1

Many say that it can't be done...unity among brothers and sisters in Christ. I'll admit, I've seen some pretty damaging evidence that it's next to impossible for we Christians to function and live in a spirit of unity. When it does occur though, it's a good and pleasant thing.

Over the last few days, it's been my privilege to witness first hand what unity among God's people looks and feels like. It was my privilege to travel to Austin, TX and to my former church and to be with some of it's people that I dearly love. First stop, church office. It is impossible for the world outside a church office to know what all must be done in planning a retreat for 100 people. The planning in this case, wasn't for just ordinary people...this retreat was for the adult choir. An adult choir is made up of a lot of energy and emotion. I've always said that if there is to be a church split, it can begin with the church choir. Musicians are very emotional people and can be on the touchy side (sorry choir members). People had to be divided up into several cabins, no choices. If you ended up in a cabin with Lizzie Borden or Jack the Ripper, you were just stuck and slept with one eye open (just kidding). However, the spirit and I do mean Spirit was so evident with this bunch that it was just astounding. The choir director came with new music to be rehearsed. That can be a little precarious with folks who sometime have their own views regarding music, but even the music was so beautiful and God honoring that rehearsing voices surely must have lifted the roof at least a little on the main lodge where the choir met to rehearse. There were smiles, tears, laughter....well, one knows when unity is going on and it's nothing that human beings can think up or plan. What a sweet time. The music staff had planned well...I never heard a complaint from anyone and that in itself is about as miraculous as walking on the water outside our main lodge.

Sunday school time came the day after the retreat. I had so grieved leaving my wonderful Sunday school class. Another teacher, and a wonderful one now sat before the class teaching as I had done this time last year. My former class members were all sweet, glad to see me and I so appreciated that but when class time came, I was really thrilled. Suddenly I saw as we sat down for our class session, that I became a visitor. I don't say that in a negative way. I had prayed for this moment. You see, an adult class can be torn up by the leaving of one teacher and the coming of another. It can end up a real mess with hurt feelings, divided loyalties and even more things that don't honor the Lord. I smiled as I sat there...a visitor. I looked around at those ladies I had once taught with eyes fixed on me but now fixed on another....THEIR teacher and believe me, she's the best around. As I sat there, I said to myself, “They've made the shift...thank you Lord.” I had prayed for a smooth, loving transition and now I sat in the middle of the same unity I had witnessed in that class prior to my leaving. Thank you Lord for allowing me to sit and witness that sweet spirit.

Monday came and I had the privilege of seeing again my home Bible study group together again along with others from my former Sunday school class who weren't able to attend the home Bible study. I think there were about 30 there, not sure of the number. As they arrived, it was all so familiar, warm with welcoming hugs and laughter. If you want to discuss unity, here is where we could really start. Many of the ladies were close friends of our hostess who don't attend our particular church and they come from varied spiritual backgrounds. Now throw in a bunch of Baptists to make up the difference and you can have chaos. Looking at the group you could not know how very diverse this group is that runs a wide range of life experience. The first time I taught the group, I was scared to death, not knowing how that group would meld together, if it was even possible. However, as God does when He shows up, that Bible study group just seemed to melt and merge into one loving, caring unit eager to study the Word of God together. We enjoyed another time of coming together wanting to know more of what God's Word would have to say to us in a practical and useful way. It was a sweet time.

May I tell you that in all three of these settings, I could have sat with a rather resentful attitude. These three things were so much a part of my heart for so long and now I was, to a great extent and in reality, an outsider. I could have caused just little snippits of division in comments made quietly to others in each setting, but that thought didn't even cross my mind. I loved my choir and always will. It will do well with God's leadership and it's wonderful choir director. My former Sunday school class is thriving and will continue to do so under the Spirit leading a wonderful and capable teacher. Every time the Bible study group manages to get together, there will be a sweet spirit with me not there for that spirit doesn't rest with a human being but with the Spirit of God.

You see, in all three of these settings, even though leadership is necessary, the key is the moving of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of folks who are participating in those areas. When we keep our focus and eyes on the Holy Spirit of God, His instruction through the Word and consistently walking with God, unity happens. When we lose our focus on Him and put it on self, it won't take long for division to happen. Does this mean that we will always agree....mercy no!! But in Godly ways, we can learn how to deal with disagreement that is handled in appropriate ways.

I am one blessed person today as I sit thinking over those experiences of the last few days. I left some very healthy people, spiritually speaking. I leaned back in my seat on the air plane with a bit of a smile. “It's okay” (I told myself)...”All is well...they are all fine.” I then anxiously waited for my plane to land on my now homeland, back to do what the Lord wants of me here. I have lots of sweet memories but now roll up my sleeves to meet the tasks here that God has planned for me to do in our little church.

Dear Father...I thank you for these last few days and the blessing of being with so many friends. I thank you for NOW and all You still have for me to do in this place. My friends will carry on as it should be and so will I here. Bless them and their every effort for Your kingdom. Even despite the miles, we will sing, teach and fellowship in unity for it is through You, Holy Spirit, that we will be ever connected. Amen