We had a wonderful sermon at church yesterday on the unity we are supposed to have within the body of Christ. Jesus prayed that we would be one even as He and the Father are one. A quick look at church history reveals that Christians haven’t done a bang-up job in that regard. At least not 100% of the time.
One of Pastor Mike’s teenage daughters suffered a brain tumor three years ago, and her recovery has been slow as she learns to walk and to speak again. Some time ago, Make a Wish Foundation asked her what she wanted, and she answered, “Johnny Depp.” And last month, they got a call asking if they could be in LA the next day. So off they went.
There were eight young people, all who had wished to meet the actor, plus a host of family members gathered together in that room in LA. Then in came Johnny Depp. He didn’t just whisk in, shake a few hands, sign a few autographs, and then leave. He spent time with each of the young people and was there for a full two hours. Pastor Mike talked about how, while Mr. Depp was present, all eyes were on him all the time. Complete focus. And there was a sense of shared experience among the people there. A camaraderie.
This, we were told, is how Christians could be if we had our eyes and attention focused on Jesus all the time. With our eyes on Him, we would have a shared experience with everyone else in the “room.” There would be a special camaraderie, and we would forget our differences.
Every summer I gather with a group of Christian writer friends prior to the ICRS convention. And every year, during times of worship in song, I pause to listen to everyone singing and praising God—all of us from different backgrounds, different denominations, different circumstances—and I think to myself, This is what it will be like in heaven. None of the differences will matter because we’ll all be worshiping Him.
Unity.
“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” (John 17:22-23)
I look forward to that day when we are all gathered around His throne with great anticipation.
~robin
