1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
Colossians 3:14
14 and over, all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Romans 12:16
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.
John 17:23
23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
1 Corinthians 1:10
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Ephesian 4:3
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
This week as the world watched, the Texas Rangers won their very first World Series. I don’t know about you, but I grew up loving baseball. As a child on those rare days that our farm chores were completed before nightfall, the kids from our community would converge in our front yard for a game of baseball.
Then as a teenager, I played on a community girl’s softball team. It was the highlight of my week to go and play ball with my friends. Basically, the entire community of this very small town that I grew up in, would show up to watch the girls as well as the boys play ball.
The girls would always play first. Afterward, we enjoyed drinking ice-cold sodas and eating the best hot dogs ever, as we watched the boys play their game.
Then in 1974 I left home and moved to Arlington Texas to attend college. That’s when I became acquainted with the Texas Rangers. They only arrived two years ahead of me, so I feel like we grew up together. We were the new kids on the block. So needless to say, even though I moved away from Texas years ago my heart is still there cheering the Rangers on.
As I tuned in to watch the celebration parade honoring the great victory, I saw thousands upon thousands of happy fans, some of whom had walked as far as two miles to get to the parade route.
There were people there from every walk of life. Every demographic and ethnicity that you can imagine was represented, all smiling and joyful over the win.
I saw unity. How amazing that for a few short hours thousands of people were in agreement over something as simple as baseball.
I saw not only a celebration for baseball champions, but I saw the power of commonality. For once everyone was on the same page and actually agreeing on something. Their common love and support for this outstanding team and the sport of baseball was what drew them together.
I long for the day that those of us on God’s team will live in perfect unity. I truly believe that it will ignite an even greater joy, than I witnessed while watching the celebration parade. . As we walk in the victory that God has provided for us, we should remember that we too are blessed to be on a winning team, and oh what a victory celebration we will have one day too!
