Another Year of Choices
By Barbara Dahlgren
Psalms 133:1 says, “How good and how pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
Some feel that unity is hard to achieve. I have a solution. If everyone would just agree with me and do things my way, we could be unified. I explained this to my friend. She didn’t agree. She felt unity could be achieved if everyone agreed with her and did it her way. What a dilemma!
God created us to be different. We have different eyes and hair, shapes and sizes, backgrounds and environments, likes and dislikes. It would be reasonable to assume that we have different points of view and opinions. What will touch the heart of one will not touch the heart of another. That’s why God deals with us as individuals.
Individuality can be a great thing! However, when we try to work with others, being an individualist can divide us, not unite us. We must always remember that what God thinks is more important than what we think. Therefore, we need to be united by God’s Spirit which is more concerned with dwelling together in harmony than pushing through our personal preferences. Ephesians 4:3 tells us if we endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit, it brings a bond of peace.
How does this unity of the Spirit manifest itself? It is filled with God’s love. People guided with God’s love speak gently and with kindness. They don’t judge a matter until they have ALL the facts and they aren’t presumptuous enough to think they have ALL the facts until they’ve done the research. Even then, when it comes to judging others they say, “There but for the grace of God go I,” instead of adopting an “I’m holier than you” attitude.
The unity of God’s Spirit is one of cooperation not division. Those filled with God’s Spirit want to be a part of the solution, not just point out the problem. They want to work for the betterment of the whole, not just for what pleases them.
There are many scriptures showing us what people with this unity look like.
- They are compassionate and kind. (1 Peter 3:8)
- They are humble and patient. (Ephesians 4:1-3)
- They want to make peace, edify and build up others. (Romans 14:19)
- They are not wise in their own eyes. (Romans 12:16)
- They avoid strife and esteem others better than themselves. (Philippians 2:1-5)
- The list is endless.
In other words, they are a reflection of Jesus Christ.
Consider this… Unity in everything will never be achieved unless others agree with everything we say and do or vice versa. However, if we yield to God and let His love guide us, it is possible to dwell together in unity… and how good and pleasant that is.
Suggestions for practicing this choice…
- Be Christ centered, not self-centered.
- Give others the benefit of the doubt.
- Listen to others and try to understand what they mean and where they are coming from.
- Learn to use the phrase “you might be right” instead of “are you out of your mind” or “you’ve got to be kidding” or “that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!”
- Pray that God gives you a spirit of unity and peace.
