What does unity mean to you? Are you willing to stick together through thick and thin? Are you willing to overlook shortcomings to remain unified in purpose? Will you seek to train your mind to focus on what is most important? Will you choose to focus on the reason for living?
Depending on what organization, team, or profession we are involved in, we may hear different takes on unity. A charitable organization may call for a unified front to feed those who are hungry. A team may focus on working together as one to win a championship. A company may call for unity to improve their product.
Unity is a unique mindset. It doesn’t require us to agree on all things. It does require us to be committed to what is most important for the group. A military unit can be unified on one task for a time and on another task at a different time. For instance, a unit may be sent to assist with disaster recovery for a few weeks, then sent into a combat situation. These are two very different tasks. However, the unit is unified in focus. Why? They are committed to their brothers and sisters in arms.
We, too, must be committed to our brothers and sisters—brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus prayed that ALL His followers would be unified in Him. Complete unity is not just a commitment but being of the same mind and same purpose. It requires us to stay focused on who is most important—Jesus Christ.
Our focus can drift to our personal preferences. It can drift to our favorite activity. It can overcome by worry over health, finances, relationships, or any number of situations. Jesus didn’t pray that we be unified when we agree, or everything is going along fine. He prayed that we be in complete unity, which means at all times, no matter what the situation.
I pray we all commit to be unified in Jesus. I pray we seek to keep our focus on Him in every situation. I pray each one of us will show the world what it means to be unified is Jesus. Love one another. Care for one another. Focus on Jesus. Make Jesus most important in your life. Be unified in Him.
John 17:22-23 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Marty Pressey 