So, how well do you know football? If you’ve watched even 5 minutes in your life, you will likely understand that it is important for the offensive line to work as a collective rather than individuals. If we had the center (the person over the football) go straight ahead but the rest of the offensive line go left or right, likely the quarterback or running back would get run over by a 300+ defensive “Mack truck”.
In so many circumstances, working “as one” is much more effective and efficient to carry heavy loads, to accomplish a set goal, or to communicate an important message. Think about advertising campaigns. They are carefully articulated in order to provide a clear message. What’s interesting is that advertising agencies aren’t the originator of this concept. It’s God, and in the early church we read about just such an example.
In Acts 4:32 Luke writes, “The whole congregation of believers was united as one – one heart, one mind!…they shared everything…and grace was on all of them!”
Wait a second, the entire congregation was of one heart and one mind? How can that be? We as a church, struggle globally to pull in the same direction on a myriad of topics (small and large), yet the early church worked together.
Take a moment right now and step away from your own objectives. Go on, put them down and take a step back – I won’t grab them. If you don’t see the benefit of what I’m about to ask, you can go back and pick them up and return to whatever it was you were doing. Now, imagine (keep an open mind) if, rather than fighting for your own goals, you took up the mantle of the goals of Jesus Christ. Then imagine that brothers and sisters in your town did the same thing, and then in the towns next to you, and the states next to you, in the countries next to you until, yep you got it – we as a congregation, as a family of God’s children, all were working as one – one mind, one heart.
What could we accomplish, as a church, as a people, if as the scripture says, we were of one mind, one heart? What would this world look like? I dare say we’d likely see a glimpse of the Kingdom of God.
Today I challenge you, rather than seeking the differences we share, seek the similarities. Rather than arguing who’s wrong, agree on the common ground. Search for the love Jesus taught us, feel the love of that Spirit surrounding us, and share the love God poured over us. With one mind, one heart, we can transform the world.
Prayer: God of mercy and God of grace, help me to open my eyes, my mind, my heart – seeking common ground with those who are near me that we might somehow transform the world. Amen.