For the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18–25), the members of the NC Conference Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships (CUIR) committee are sharing daily devotions rooted in Ephesians 4.

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Day 2 – Ephesians 4:2
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bear with one another in love.

From mid-November to the madness in March, I get caught up in the fun of college and professional sports. The television is on and I’m enjoying bowl games, playoffs, and the start of basketball season. The competition between teams, friendly rivalries, bragging rights, and ribbing are all in good fun.

Sport has its purpose. Challenges between teams and contrasting skills are ways of honoring differences and recognizing diversity. “Iron sharpens iron,” Proverbs 27:17 says, “and one person sharpens the wits of another.” Our interactions as individuals, in teams, and also in opposition, can strengthen us and promote growth and development for everyone involved.

Yet, in the midst of my TV time, my focus is broken by news of attack and assault occurring between persons within my community, and reports of aggression wider still, perpetuated by my government against another.

In the things that really matter—life, death, and Jesus’ commandments—all that competitive nature fades away, and we focus on the shared humanity of us all. We are united in our spiritual adoption and our call to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world. We are not rivals or competitors in the kingdom of God. I need not forget the source of strength and my call and purpose to uphold the love of Christ in witness to others.

As disciples, we strive to keep priorities straight, remembering that our commitment to unity and understanding is our commitment to Jesus Christ. We remain committed to love, respect, and justice. We know there are complexities and challenges confronting us. But we keep the faith. We look for oneness in Christ in the midst of diversity and adversity, sounding the call of Christ’s love for all.

Loving God, you are my source of peace and love. May I share that love with others. Amen.

A Question to Consider

How can the virtues of humility, gentleness, patience and tolerance, as mentioned in the letter to the Ephesians, help us as believers navigate and overcome divisions within our local Christian communities?

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
you show us how to be patient with one another in humility and gentleness.
May the light you have shined on our path lead us towards unity
and help us heal the wounds of division and indifference
that often break communities apart.
Amen.

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