TOGETHER

I was on this church board once when a discussion began on the subject of how unity was required in order for the Holy Spirit to work in a church. The "proof" text for this approach was that on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples it says they were "all of one accord." So by that reasoning we all had to agree to work together if we wanted God to bless our labors.

Later, of course, an addendum was added. Basically, that being together and in one accord meant we all would agree with doing things by the interpretation of the minister.

That was the part that I didn't quite see as fundamental to the whole process. I do enjoy when I can cooperate with someone else and work towards a common goal. But I do enjoy it if that means I have to always do things by their definition of what is truth.

I wish I could say that was the only occasion when I experience such prejudice. But it isn't. The basic rule seemed to be that whoever had the power had the right to define what it meant to work together. And it was always on their terms, whether they were right or wrong.

I do believe unity can accord in ministry. I think it has to be balanced though. Which is a difficult thing to accomplish at times.

But at the heart to me is the issue of first asking what is the Lord's will? To put his desires before our own. When that happens, together truly had meaning. When it gets lots in the me, me, me of membership demands and ministry politics the Lord's work always suffers.

Do we truly embrace God has part of the partnership? Is together a form of unity or just another opportunity when people seek control for the sake of attention.

The mind in charge will always seem to gravitate to a core of self for dominance in unity. But the heart will yield at times to the soul.

Most of all, isn't it part of unity to accept when there are times that it means accept for the sake of balance to simply not be involved other than a level God would desire? By that I mean are there times when we work too hard to be involved, not because it is God's will, but because our egos demand it?

Time and test grant witness to the truth. It share the elements of our real fruit in such situation.

Pity is the moment when we find ourselves thinking of unity if it only means we stand in the limelight. Even greater is the pity if we do so without the joy of surrender to the ultimate form of unity when God is honor as the one who is the leader and Jesus is the Lord instead of our desires.