The Sweet Smell of Unity

Ephesian 4:2-5 (NIV) ~

 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.

This morning, Dan and I sat in a monthly breakfast meeting of local pastors.  As we shared prayer requests, joys and concerns, it was an amazingly unified group for being so diverse.  The pastors made up a wide range of churches from Presbyterian to Methodist to Pentacostal and more.  We didn't focus on the differences.  We focused on our friendships and praying for one another.

I loved hearing how one pastor drives around to all the different churches one day a week to pray for the pastor of that church and his congregation.  Another shared how their church provides resources for another local church to help feed the poor.  Another took my son's phone number to call him and encourage him. 

The unity was beautiful and I think God is pleased by that.  We are one in our belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.  We are different in how we approach that.  But this group of pastors are unified in their desire to reach this community for Christ.  There are a number of events throughout the year in which these churches work together.

This unity is one of the reasons I think this area is very ripe to hear the message of Jesus Christ.  We didn't see that too much in our last area and it's unusual.  Yet, I know that the Lord wants His church to get along, to love each other and to pray for each other.

And that is a beautiful thing!