7th Floor Devotional Day 12: ”Reconciliation and Unity”

DEVOTIONAL DAY 12 - “Reconciliation and Unity.”

Let's be candid. Diversity may be beautiful, but it is not always easy. For example, suppose you come from a large family like I do. In that case, you realize how challenging it can be to navigate all the different perspectives and personalities in your family. Throw in ethnic and cultural differences, and you have a real challenge. 

What is the secret to making diversity work in the church? Remember what Paul said in Ephesians 2. In His death, Jesus came to create a new humanity and a new family around the person of Jesus Himself. 

This is not about simply being accommodating to those different from us. Instead, it is a willingness to be in a relationship with people and, through the relationship, to be changed along with them into something new, more beautiful than we could have imagined. This is what the Holy Spirit does as He knits us together in relationship and fellowship with other believers who are different from us. 

In His High Priestly prayer in John 17:23, Jesus says that through our unity, the world will know that He was sent by the Father and is one with the Father. The proof of His divinity would be the unity of His people. 

This takes work. Paul told the Ephesians what it would take for this "new humanity,” this "new family" to be successful. "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 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." 

One of my life's great blessings has been working with people from over 60 nations (T.J Addington). In that process, I have learned the richness of each of those different cultures and perspectives. Each of those relationships has changed me in some way. That is what Jesus wants for us as we build a new community of beautiful diversity around the person of Jesus Christ. 

So here is your prayer for today: Thank you, Jesus, for the blessing of diverse communities and mindsets. Please, equip us for the challenge of intentional diversification. Go before us. In Jesus' name, Amen.