The Gift of Unity

 

 

The holiday season is a time of celebration, joy, traditions, and family. However, these traditions and memories can also trigger feelings of grief over a loss or frustration over family dynamics.

 

I feel very fortunate to have a family that looks forward to gathering together over the holiday season, and I don’t take our unity as a family for granted. If you find yourself dreading holiday get-togethers with family this month, God may be giving you an opportunity to share His love with the people in your life.

 

 

The apostle Paul was passionate about unity. He writes in 1 Corinthians: “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

 

Maybe you struggle to find something in common with a sibling, or political differences have driven a wedge between you and a parent or grandparent. Maybe past hurts have left your relationship with certain family members rocky at best and adversarial at worst. How can we live “perfectly united” with those who have hurt us?

 

 

The answer, as always, is Jesus. Here are four ways Jesus gives us the chance to live in unity with others outlined by Paul in 1 Corinthians:

 

  1. Our relationship with Jesus: 1 Corinthians 1:9 says God’s faithfulness has given us fellowship with Jesus. Stop and think about the amazing blessing that is! Our common fellowship with Jesus allows us to have fellowship with one another.
  2. The grace of Jesus: We lack nothing because of the grace we’ve been given in Jesus. Because every good gift comes from Him, we can set aside jealousy and enjoy unity with each other without competition.
  3. The spirit of Jesus: The Holy Spirit gives us what we don’t have in our own sinful nature. Sin will always try to divide us, but God’s Spirit works in us to bring unity.
  4. Hope in Jesus: Ultimately, our hope is in Jesus, not in our relationships with family, friends, or spouses. This takes the pressure off of from trying to have the “perfect family” and instead enjoy one another because our hope is in Christ.

 

Jesus gave us the opportunity to have perfect unity with God – the ultimate gift. Thank Him for the gift of unity and ask Him to show you how to give that gift to others this Christmas.

 

 

P.S. As we close out 2017, 4word needs your help to start 2018 financially strong. We are so blessed by the thousands of women in the workplace in the 4word community. Without contributions from readers like you, we cannot grow our global community of women in the workplace and help you pursue your God-given calling with confidence. Would you show your support of 4word by making a gift of $100, $50 or even $25 before January 1st and help us reach our $25,000 match goal? Thank you!

 

 

 

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