Episode 4 / Unity

Years ago, my dad and I were out on a ranch and we got a vehicle stuck in the mud and you couldn't even see the mud. It looked like dry ground, but we crossed into an area where the sublayer was saturated with water and the trunk just completely sank. We were a pretty good ways away from the ranch house and we had to make a decision.

Do we take a gamble and go to the direction that we think we're supposed to be going? Or do we follow the fence lines and because we know the fence lines will get us to the right area? Well, we decided to follow the fence lines to take the safe bet. But then as time went on, the sun was going down and those conversations of, "We might have to make camp."

We're not exactly sure where we are. This is pre GPS being in our phones and all that kind of stuff. Justin, my son was very young. Oftentimes we're walking through just water saturated areas. He's over my shoulder as we're trotting through the mud. My dad and I had a unified purpose. We're just trying to get back to the house, but for me as his son, that was one of those father-son moments that nothing else in the world mattered right now other than us working together and getting to the desired destination. To me, that was a beautiful picture of unity, that  also in adversity drew us closer together and I think us on our journey unto Heaven is a lot like that sometimes, and I hope that it draws us closer together and it brings great joy to us as we serve the Lord.

The scriptures use the term a lot in the Book of Acts, "One Mind and one accord." We used the word "unity" to mean the same thing, but there was also a phrase that was used in the military that became really powerful. It was "Esprit de corps," and what that means is, by definition, "A common spirit." But the heart of it was unity, but with a strong regard towards  the value of the group.

And so when I say "unity" in our code, that's really what I'm thinking really being of one mind and one accord. I mean, fellowship is one of those words, right? But, but "esprit de corps" to me, just kind of takes it deeper. That there's a high regard for God, a high regard for his church, the fellowship of the believers together.

And that's really where I want us to be unified.

To be unified also doesn't mean that everyone is doing the exact same thing, but it does mean in the direction that we're moving and the heart that we have towards that movement. And so we celebrate the diversity, but the direction of going the same way and for the same reason.

Verses

“I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.” ‭‭Philemon‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
“fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

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