Week 2 of Pastor Riley’s sabbatical. Right about now, he should be on the beach soaking up the sun…or something. I haven’t heard from him yet, but I’m assured that he is having a great time and getting a lot of much-needed physical, emotional, and spiritual rest.

Read Ephesians 4:1-6

4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

I find family reunions to be eye-opening. Amid the eating, looking at pictures, playing games, and catching up, I’m struck by how people from the same family can be so different. We differ in size, shape, personality, perspective, vocations, interests, opinions, and a host of other characteristics. But what we share as a family binds us together — name, heritage, shared history and experiences, and years of life together.

The church — the family of God — is much the same. We are a diverse group of people. We don’t all worship the same way. Our personalities are different. Some of us are outgoing, and some of us are more reserved. We all serve Christ in different ways, with different circles of influence. But what binds us together as the family of God is what Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” Even with all of our different shapes and sizes, we all belong to the same family through Christ. Do we recognize that? Are we “making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”? (See Eph. 4:3.)

Prayer
O God, forgive us for looking down on our brothers and sisters because they are different. Help us to maintain unity. Amen.

Thought for the week
What unites us as believers is far more important than what separates us.