In the Same Direction

It was a great day at Sugar Hill Church.  My favorite part was celebrating with the 10 people who followed Christ in baptism.  God is moving and working within our church family.  Don’t miss the moment!

Here’s the Follow up devotional from Sunday’s message: 

John 17:23  I in them and you in me.  May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Read It: 

Can you imagine a car where the wheels all moved in a different direction?  It wouldn’t go very far.  The more each tire pulled for its own way, the more the car would begin to fall apart, until, eventually, everything broke down.  The car would become immobile, paralyzed by a lack of a unified direction. And ultimately the car would be useless in fulfilling its purpose: moving people from point A to point B.

That’s a lot like Christ’s church.  Christ has woven believers together.  His Word tells us that we are all members of Christ’s body.  And every part matters (1 Corinthians 12).  No one can say to the other that they have no need of them.  Like that car, when we strive for things our way on our time and by our methods, we lack a unity of direction and purpose, and things fall apart.  When we forget that our mission is to move people from point A (not knowing Christ) to point B (knowing, loving and glorifying Him), then like that car, we become useless in fulfilling our purpose.

In Christ, we have DO have a unifying purpose and vision – one God, one Father, one faith (Ephesians 4:5-7).  When we seek Christ and His direction, we naturally begin to work toward a common goal of loving Him and making Him known.  We have been given the greatest calling, the greatest mission on earth and in heaven – to lift high the name of Christ.  And when we all bring our gifts and time and talent to the table in a common love for Christ and for His people, then a beautiful thing happens.  We begin to race toward a common destiny of purpose.  We are all moving together in one direction for His glory – propelled by unity, fueled by love.

Pray It:

God, sometimes I get so caught up in my own world – my routine, my schedule, my needs, my desires, that it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.  Help me to see that you created me to be part of a community.  Help me to understand that I am made for relationship with You and with others.  May I walk in unity with You and with other believers so that the love in my life testifies of Your goodness to a world desperate for a unifying love.

Download it:

Psalm 133:1  How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

Apply it:

 1.  Spend some time this morning evaluating your own level of unity.  How are you doing at walking in unity with your Heavenly Father?  With His other children?

 2. Think of two ways this week that you can encourage and partner with someone who is working toward the common goal of loving God and loving people.  Perhaps it is praying for a particular ministry or staff member, or writing a letter of encouragement, or volunteering some time.  Let God lead you.