April 3, 2018
Psalm 133…“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” vs. 1
Our rugged individualism can be a big problem when it comes to our relationship with God. Often it leads us to emphasize our personal connection to Jesus, as though that were the only thing that mattered. Obviously, there is a personal element to faith that cannot be denied, but scripture consistently stresses the importance of life in community. The psalmist, writing 2500 years ago, affirms “how very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” We know well from our own experience that his words are true, and we all yearn for the personal connections that he describes. But it’s not easy! There are so many roadblocks to unity; and for a variety of reasons we often find ourselves at odds with one another. Sometimes we can even get so angry that we can scarcely tolerate the least bit of interaction. We have contrary political, religious, and social convictions and the rightness of our own position keeps us isolated; and, as we continue to assert those opinions, our sense of isolation increases. What a blessing it is when our common connection to Jesus leads us to value friendship over our need to be right! In those moments, our words of affection and kindness shatter the differences and give the unity our hearts desire. Through the centuries, these pockets of sweet community have helped countless believers find the tangible love and companionship that every human craves.
Thought for the Day: What is my community?
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