READ | Ephesians 4:1-6

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

IMAGINE

Imagine being at a professional football game. There are all kinds of people cheering and dressing in many ways. Some are quieter, some are quite vocal. Some wear team jerseys, some paint their bodies with team logos and colors. All are cheering for their team. Although this spectrum is broad, each fan has the same unified goal: that their team ends the game with more points than their opponent. It’s like being at church. Some churches sit in pews and sing anthems accompanied by pipe organs; some gather close to dance and sing choruses accompanied by a worship band. All are worshiping our one Lord, Jesus Christ.

Imagine if the people in your church were to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There may be people who have different ideas about some aspect of the church’s ministry. What if they could learn to present their ideas and then allow the Spirit to bring unity and peace in resolution of a course of action?

ASK

How do you respond to differing ideas in your local church? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” t If things don’t go the way you might choose, ask God to give you the grace to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

 


Contributed by Craig Johnson, Spiritual Director