More Alike than Different

Ephesians 4:1-3—I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We live in a culture that celebrates individuality in ways that point out differences and separate us one from another.  When we are very young, it can be easy to buy into the myth that if we just work hard enough, we can do it all ourselves.  We can accomplish anything if we just work hard enough and pull up on our bootstraps enough.  The reality, though, is that we are all connected.  Our spirits inhabit our earthly bodies for only a finite period of time, and we have specific and unique purposes while here on Earth.  As followers of Christ, we are called to unify and focus on our similarities to build mutual respect for our differences.  Because it is true that we are each uniquely and wonderfully made.  But we share in common that God loves each one of us.  We share in common that we are all sinners.  And we share in common that we are all forgiven.  The same way that God is patient with us, we must be patient with others.  Seeking peace and loving wholly and vulnerably we grow in Christ.

Today as you pray and meditate on His Word, praise God as the God of peace.  Prayerfully consider your heart and spirit and challenge yourself to set aside any differences, any walls, that are distancing you from others in your life.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would fill you up with love and peace so that you might overcome adversity and bond with your fellow man.  Live humbly and gently with others so that Jesus’ light radiates from your spirit.