Play Your Role
Tuesday, January 25
Play Your Role
Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
God has left us with all the beauty of nature not only to appreciate His hand in creation, but also to appreciate the role nature plays in being our guide. Nature loves diversity, but nature also loves unity. There are many examples of groups of individuals functioning as one, two of my top favorites are the geese flying in a perfect V-formation or the straight line of ants walking in formation – just wow! With these examples it is clear nature loves diversity but seems to rely on unity to accomplish what is good for all.
Scripture also supports this idea of diversity and unity. In Ephesians 4:3-6, the apostle Paul appeals for unity in the Church (verse 3) by highlighting the word “one” seven times: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. But then, in verse 7, he goes to highlight the diversity in unity. Each Christian has been given gifts (natural talents and abilities) to accomplish his or her part in achieving unity (verses 7-13). We ought to let our unique gifts strengthen the unity of God’s people. Just as a flock of geese achieves its migration goal by flying in formation, so the Church achieves its maturity goal by working together in unity.
Today, consider the question: “What is my part, Lord, in building up Your Church? What grace have you given me? How can I promote the unity of the Body?”