Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

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Read

Ephesians 4:1-6 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort 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 of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

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Reflect

One of the great moments at this year’s General Assembly was the unification vote by the CPCA and CPC delegates.  After a couple of previous attempts, both General Assemblies voted to send the motion to the presbyteries to be approved.  I am not sure how the presbyteries will vote, but it is a step toward unity.  We live in a culture that preaches diversity but will only accept unity if everyone agrees on everything.  Well, we won’t agree on everything and there will need to be decisions made by each presbytery to decide what we can and cannot accept in order to have unity.

Who knows the outcome but I pray we will all be willing to “lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  Maybe one body will have to cede some power, another body may lose some distinctiveness.  Who knows, but let’s all pray we can give an honest effort to show the world unity in Christ.

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Pray

God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are the model of community and unity.  Give us a desire to see the church united with the purpose of worship and service.  Give us wisdom.  Give us love for one another.  Give us the willingness to make every effort of maintaining the unity of the Spirit in these divisive days.  In Christ, we pray, Amen.

Go with God!