Own It!

You don't own it until you experience it!

Owning Unity

Everyone wants to dwell with others in unity. “We are the world….” Everyone knows division, contention, factions, and strife are ugly. These separate us. These produce an underlying noise in politics, education, business, and the church. For most, oneness is an illusion. Biblically the ideal is hard to miss. It is clear God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit want their people to be one. God hates division and divorce. Pain is inflicted in disunity. Perhaps it is time to own unity.

What I have discovered in my life is that writing about unity does little to create unity. Stepping into a process that could lead to unity is the experience that leads to ownership. Hold out a hand to someone different. Having a cup of coffee with someone and hearing their story and telling your story is a great starting point. Seeking to understand before insisting I be understood is the path I must walk to gain unity. Putting myself in an uncomfortable situation for the sake of unity is essential. Laying one plank in the bridge to the other side one plank at a time is an experience that can lead to ownership. Every person I have been able to establish unity with begins with a simple step of listening, considering the real issue between us, being willing to bend, if possible, without compromising my faith, meeting someone halfway, and other tangible actions. I find these experiences to be deeply satisfying and freeing. I don’t have to forget who I am, what I believe, or the convictions I own to take a step toward someone instead of away from them.

Enough sermons on unity. Take a step. Bridge the gap. Own it. YOU DON’T OWN IT UNTIL YOU EXPERIENCE IT.