Community Is . . . Unity
Scripture Reading — Galatians 3:26-29
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
One of the things that struck Hannah about a recent mission trip she was on was meeting and getting to know all of the children that her team interacted with. At first she was hesitant about meeting so many new people who were so different from her and lived in unfamiliar surroundings. But as she saw the joy on the children’s faces and realized that so many of them wanted to be friends, Hannah’s fears faded. What amazed her even more was how easily she could talk about faith and life with these children. The differences didn’t matter because they found a unity in Christ that transcended the differences.
All too often we let differences divide us. We tend to be afraid of other people or new situations, and we don’t take the time to see each other as children of God who are created in his image.
The apostle Paul wanted his readers to know that their differences didn’t matter either. What really matters is Christ Jesus. As we believe in him, we are all one, no matter our ethnic background or our gender or our economic or social status. We belong to him as God’s children. That’s an important thing to remember in a world that seeks to divide and frighten us. We find our unity in Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord.
Father, help us to remember all that unites us, and help us to seek unity as we broaden our community in you. Amen.
About the author — Bret Lamsma
Bret Lamsma is Director of Faith Formation at First Church in Denver, Colorado, and has served churches in Michigan and California in youth, emerging adult, inter-generational, and educational ministries. Bret and his wife, Julie, have two children, and he enjoys hiking, disc golfing, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs.
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