United and Worth it

Broken. Isolated. Alone. Disconnected.

vs.

Together. Restored. Supported. Purposeful.

Which one do you want to be a part of? What sounds more inviting? I definitely think the latter, but why do we so easily play into the broken and dysfunctional tug of wars of this world.  We put ourselves on these little islands trying to reach these levels of success by being self-sufficient . We do it to ourselves. We get stuck in survival of the fittest mode of our culture. We lose ourselves in comparing ourselves to others. We forget who we are because we are so caught up in what we are not or what we don’t have.  We are missing it.

We were created in the image of God to be a part of his family. We were meant to be on this journey most importantly together with the Lord, but together with the body of believers. We were designed to be united in a purpose bigger than ourselves. We were shaped to be a part of the purpose of the Lord. We were formed to be United with Christ. Not separated. Not on our own.  Together, in unity, in love, and whole in the Lord.

Our world screams at us to fit this mold.  But that mold is broken. It is never going to fit.  It isn’t what we were created for. So why are we trying so hard to put a piece of the puzzle into the wrong picture. We need to get our picture right. Are we living out the qualities and pursuing characteristics that are a part of unity of Christ, or are we just trying to get one step ahead of the rat race. The right race is not a sprint, it is a marathon, and the journey may look a whole lot different, but the path is worth it.

Ephesians 4:1-6 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul really pursued the journey of the Lord. And although that path took him to prison, he still lived for the Unity of Christ. He claimed what he was living for was worth the punishment of prison if that is what it cost to stand up for truth. He stood for truth, and the characteristics of bringing things back together, of humility, of gentleness, of patience. He understood unity would be won with love. He knew peace would come through restoration. He knew humility would come through being willing. And he knew the journey was worth it. It may seem like combating the brokenness would switch something up.  But Paul understood following the example of the ministry of Jesus.  Jesus pursued mending the brokenness.  He pursued humility.  He didn’t push truth for success and superiority.  He lived truth through example, love, and unity.  And this truth changed everything.  In a broken world, it is so easy to resort to chaos, reactions, and more brokenness.  But in the journey of the Lord, the journey of the believers, unity is the main goal. We have a privilege to be a part of this puzzle of unity.  It is a gift. And our call is to walk worthy of all that we have been gifted. We don’t deserve it.  But we get to receive it. And all actions, behaviors, attitudes, and choices play into that united purpose.

Do you live a life of unity joined with a greater purpose? Or are you contributing or falling prey to the brokenness of this world?