An important theme that resonated in my life this week was one of unity and how there is strength in unity. I believe it started at church on the weekend, where I felt a oneness with the Lord as He embraced me in His loving arms. I experienced God saying I am loved just as I am, despite my flaws and failings.
A friend of mine, via text, shared some heartache a relative was going through. I tried to encourage my friend and was proud to see how he was trying to battle the negative thoughts he was experiencing in his humanity. At one point, he said, “I just reached out my hand to hold yours.” My response was,
“What an honor…
Hold on tight…
We journey together…
Together is better…
There is more strength.”
Even though we were communicating via text, I truly felt a spiritual connection with God and my friend. We were united in Spirit, and strength was a by-product.
Photo courtesy of Rogier Chang under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
I knew it would be a harder day for another friend on the two-year anniversary of his mother’s admittance to heaven. They were very close, and he devoted much time to taking great care of her when she was ill. Again, via text, I let my friend know that I was journeying with him as he was remembering her in a special way that day. I shared that I know he is continuing her legacy through his life and that she is proud of him. Through our exchanges that day, I felt a unity with the Spirit and this friend trying to provide encouragement and strength.
Reflecting on the unity of Spirit that I experienced and the strength of it in both of these interactions, I thought about this Scripture story:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. –Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
I have always thought how beautiful this Scripture is because I think it is how life should be lived. This passage is a glimpse into life in the church right after Jesus’ ascension into heaven. The apostles had just received the Holy Spirit and were in unity with the Spirit, one another, and all the believers that were considered a part of the church. Isn’t it wonderful to see how they took care of each other’s physical as well as spiritual needs? Everything they had was shared, so no one was in need. Their hearts were sincere in looking out for each other, and they praised God as one. When we are united in the Spirit and with one another, we receive strength.
Photo courtesy of Alison Heller under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Be encouraged this week to…
…be united with the Spirit.
…see what ways you can have spiritual unity with others.
…experience the by-product of the strength the Spirit provides.
…reach out your hand to grasp the hand of someone in need.
…journey with someone who is struggling.
…share the strength gained from being united with others.
REFLECTION:
It is important to be attuned to those God has placed in our lives.
How can you spur someone on to have a closer relationship with Jesus?
Who do you know who has a physical need you can fill?
What spiritual food can you offer someone in need?
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. –Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)