Unity matters … a lot. Ephesians 4.4-6

Unity matters … a lot.  Ephesians 4.4-6

Southern California is enjoying a warm spell just now, and I love it.  Yesterday I went for a walk with a young woman who just graduated from high school, and we stopped to chat on the beach near the San Clemente Pier.  Surf was up, as they say, and the suntan oil flowing, but we were in deep discussion, talking about her life and its current changes before she takes off for college at the end of summer.  Megan is endeavoring to figure out her own spirituality, now that Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the high school is over for her, now that her peers are heading different directions, now that she will be moving from her home and able to choose even whether or not she goes to church—all will be her decision. 

What’s her story?  Her family worships at a large Catholic church, but in addition, Megan has been going to another church on Sunday nights that draws a ton of high school and college-age students, and has a lively, impassioned band and a an expressive style of worship.  ‘I really feel God there,’ she said, trying to sort out the difference in the way she perceives her Catholic experience, and struggling because she does not want to criticize her faith tradition, but feels confused.  ‘It seems like when I look around at mass, people are just going through the motions.’

Now what was not at issue was doctrine (in this discussion).  We could agree with Paul--

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” 4.4-6 

And so I helped her define her observations and feelings.  Because really Megan’s struggle, if you will, is the desire to discern how she best worships God.  For her, it feeds her soul to enter into extended worship sets of music, in which the lyrics offer praise, adoration, and personal devotion to God.  (Mind you, at this evening service, she is one of hundreds of young people, on their feet, singing alongside one another, sometimes with hands raised or clapping—that factor cannot be left out when considering her experience.) 

At the same time, I explained, there are others who prefer a service or mass that is more meditative and contemplative—one that has more quiet, and is steeped in historical religious traditions, even including wooden pews and stained glass windows as compared with rows of chairs in a trendy warehouse setting.  For some, that is their best mode of worship.  And—with regard now to doctrine—partaking of the weekly Eucharist is a critical part of that worship for folks.

Again, Megan is not debating doctrine, but rather worship expression of the same Lord and Jesus Christ, therefore seeing that one was not right and the other wrong, they were just different. 

Why did it matter?  One, when she goes away to school, she can freely choose the style of Christian worship that will grow her in her faith, and two, she does not need to denigrate her family’s faith tradition, but rather just see the two as different. 

Why am I talking about Megan and her personal journey?  Because across Christendom, so many people need to see their Christian church or even their particular style of worship as better, and therefore others’ as inferior.  Can’t we all just get along?  Unity in the body of Christ is critical if we are to honor God.  Unity in the body of Christ is imperative if others outside the body of Christ are ever to desire becoming part of us.  How can we attract others to Jesus if love for one another does not define us? 

Unity is near to the Father’s heart … and it was the cry of Jesus’ prayer for us:  “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17.20-23

Let’s seek to focus on lifting high the name of Jesus, and loving one another, shall we?  Unity matters … a lot.

Christine 

PastorWoman.com

p.s.  Besides participating in church worship experiences, Megan told me that she has been spending more time in her Bible, looking up passages, and journaling about them—even memorizing some.  I smiled, visualizing her sitting in her room, discovering truths that have made God’s Word personal and real for her.  She is really getting it, and it shows in her quiet way.