Saturday, July 24th, 2021
Oneness
In today's culture, unity is given special attention, though it may be only lip service. In the name of unity, we are asked to agree with lots of different, and often contradictory ideas. In the pursuit of unity, we are fed a doctrine of acceptance. Failing to agree with someone's point-of-view, is now seen as an assault against them personally.
For the world to be united, we are asked to abandon our uniqueness, and instead, embrace conformity.
But is that really unity? How can we truly accept one another when we reject even our own distinctiveness?
It's interesting to me that the words "unity" and "unique" both have the same root. They both mean "the state or property of being one." I've come to believe that when we're true to our unique selves, we're most able to be at unity with others. It's not about conforming, it's about expressing our God-given diversity in love.
In Psalm 133, David sings, "how very good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" Is he espousing a monoculture of agreement, or is unity more complex and beautiful than simple uniformity?
He says unity is like precious anointing oil, which flows down from the hair, to the beard, to the collar. This perfumed oil is fragrant, it's generous; overflowing! It's liquid, and able to lubricate many disagreements and differences. And this oil is like the priestly oil, able to bring healing and forgiveness and direct us toward salvation.
Such power, to be found in unity!
David says unity is like the dew from the high, arid mountain of Hermon. This dew brings sustenance to all the plants and animals. Flowers bloom, life flourishes because of this living water. Because of unity.
How reminiscent of Jesus' words. In the Gospel of John, he prayed that his followers would be one. "May they be brought to complete unity," he asked, "to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
You see? Unity is a product of love, and from it flows love. Lord, help us to embrace our unique selves, in you.
Amen.