How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
This might not be a shock to most people, but people are really, really weird and different! Of course, I have my quirks, idiosyncrasies, and hang-ups; BUT other people are sometimes hard to live with. Psalm 133:1 reminded me of the time when I first moved out with people I really didn’t know. I knew my family’s rhythms and mannerisms, but now I was in an environment completely foreign with people who were closer to being strangers than friends.
It was hard to learn the right rhythms (imagine 4 people for 1 bathroom), routines (work and play), and diets (one guy was a vegan, no offense to vegans). We all had to learn how we were the same and how we were different. We had to accept the why behind the differences and we had to rally around our Savior, Jesus who really tied us all together. It was our faith that ended up forming the bond that smoothed away the rough edges of our togetherness.
What seemed bad and unpleasant became good and pleasant. After compromise and concessions, we learned to be united even in confined spaces (we had very small rooms). We learned how much we needed one another and that together we were stronger. The lessons God taught while we initially lived together became a foundation to trust one another in the mess we were about to step into. The trust that had developed gave us shelter for the storms (literal – hurricane and figurative – the arrest in a foreign country) we were going to face. The trials we were about to face could not take away the unity we had by truly being together in life versus just being around each other.
You might wonder what the difference between togetherness and just being together is and it is subtle. I look to Proverbs 17:17 a friend is for all times, but a brother is born for adversity. The idea of togetherness or living together in unity is this idea that through all the ups and downs of life we are together, not just for a couple of hours a week or because it is easy. This is why being woven together is vital for us individually and collectively. We have come to the point where I have to ask, are we living together in unity with others? How does that shape your life? How does that give you hope? Take a few moments to think about what it looks like. If you feel like maybe you’re missing something, there are so many wonderful opportunities at church let us know so we can join together.
Jeremy Johnson
Family Pastor