Listen

Instead, by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ, who is the head. The whole body grows from him, as it is joined and held together by all the supporting ligaments. The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as each one does its part.

Ephesians 4:15-16

Think

What holds people together? You might say geographical location, a set of beliefs, or similar experiences. We tend to stick with people who are already like us so that we can reinforce the views that we already have. The last few years have felt like the most divided time-period in recent history. If you are not for one side, you are told that you must be completely against it. We are constantly finger-pointing, hating, and villainizing opposing groups on places like social media and the news; we are fed the information we want to hear about how divided we are as a people.

Ephesians tells us that we are held together by love and support. We grow by building each other up and supporting and loving each and every part. We cannot truly be united if we are busy turning people away and casting them out for not being like us. We must love and support one another as the body of Christ.

Jon Chacko

Pray

God, give me an open mind so that I may understand the experiences of others. Even when I don’t agree with someone, enable me to treat them with love and acceptance. Amen.

Go

We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.

Richard Gillard in “The Servant Song” (1977)