1How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
2It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore. (Psalm 133)
Thoughts: It is really easy to talk about love and to talk about unity but then ignore the very practical side of what divides us.
People who are in power have the opportunity to keep unity by the agenda to a certain extent- by making sure it is on the agenda; by not focusing in on the divisive issues; by not being selfish in idealism by being willing to put other's agenda ahead of their own; by being patient (unity and patience go together); by listening with intensity; by being full of grace and love. People who are in power can force their agenda on others, manipulate the truth, and that brings disunity. This does not mean leaders should not lead in new and challenging ways. But such leading is always done with sensitivity, grace, patience, and a sense of timing. David did not build the Temple in his lifetime- but was willing to let the Temple be built by the next generation. Impatience and wanting to get credit are often enemies to the unity that is so good.
People who are in the congregation or the common people can cause disunity as well. They can rebel. They can become afraid and try to retreat from unity in order to maintain a sense of safety/purity. Gossip, rumor-spreading, protesting can disrupt unity. This does not mean that people should not stand up for their beliefs- but such belief is always held in a context of the trust of love.
People who are in power have the opportunity to keep unity by the agenda to a certain extent- by making sure it is on the agenda; by not focusing in on the divisive issues; by not being selfish in idealism by being willing to put other's agenda ahead of their own; by being patient (unity and patience go together); by listening with intensity; by being full of grace and love. People who are in power can force their agenda on others, manipulate the truth, and that brings disunity. This does not mean leaders should not lead in new and challenging ways. But such leading is always done with sensitivity, grace, patience, and a sense of timing. David did not build the Temple in his lifetime- but was willing to let the Temple be built by the next generation. Impatience and wanting to get credit are often enemies to the unity that is so good.
People who are in the congregation or the common people can cause disunity as well. They can rebel. They can become afraid and try to retreat from unity in order to maintain a sense of safety/purity. Gossip, rumor-spreading, protesting can disrupt unity. This does not mean that people should not stand up for their beliefs- but such belief is always held in a context of the trust of love.
Trust and patience are so important. Jesus gave us the example of unity as he trusted in His Father. He did not rebel against Rome though he had good cause and many urged him to. He did not rebel against the Jewish authorities. He told his disciples to put away their swords and was willing to die rather then fight. But as He trusted in God, the Lord raised Him from the dead. Unity always has hope- not in human systems- but that God can change things- even a cross into the resurrection!
Unity does not happen when everything is calm. Unity happens in the clashes, in the conflicts, in the tough times. A marriage is not unified just in the better, richer, healthier times. A marriage is actually united when it survives the worse, poorer, sicker times and the couple learns to hold onto each other. Unity is not uniformity. In fact, uniformity masks the ability to unite across differences. True unity is a gift of God- it is a blessing bestowed, oil flowing down. But it is not wrong to say we must pray for it, be open to it, work for it, and treasure it.
So I pray for unity in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I pray for patience and not manipulation. I pray that things would be done properly- decently and in order. As the church is united in the hard times, the church shows the world she is different. As the church is divided, the church destroys her witness and thus herself.
Prayer: Lord, bring unity to your church. Bring grace, love, patience, hope- yourself.
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