Unity in Christ

haven't really been updating because i don't really have a clue on what i want to say, and it seems more prudent to be silent esp. when all and sundry can see what i type. but i suppose yesterday's message on unity by rev gerard really spoke to my heart, esp. what he said about internal unity and not an external show of strength and i just need to have my 2 cents worth published on the internet.

i guess as a realist (sounds much better than the term cynic) i try to accept that people have different ways of doing things and showing their love for God, but when things don't work out the way i want them to, i get pretty negative. then again, i'm as guilty, if not more so, of doing things half-heartedly and worst, not doing my part at all (e.g forgetting totally that i was supposed to ask for instrumentalists to play during the prelude) so this "judge not lest ye should be judged" totally applies to me.

so yesterday when he preached about unity of FUNCTION, and he likened it to the body, i was convicted that my opinions were misguided and my energies misspent on being fustrated. so what if everybody doesn't want to sing? (That's just an example by the way i def don't think everybody can or should sing haha) or serve in sunday school? or go for flat outreach? so long as we're serving God we should keep on praying for one another. even if the style is different as long as the heart is sincere and in the Lord's will we should rejoice. after all if we were all the same the world would be a very sad place.

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)

so now that i have acknowledged this truth, how can i apply it to my dealings with others? well i suppose instead of praying for patience, i think now my prayer should be for love for everyone. afterall, patience seems to suggest that i'm on a morally high ground, but love is something that can only come when i'm aware that we're all cut from the same imperfect cloth. and definitely for this:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (heb 12:2)

hopefully this week i have more love for everyone, and not be too quick to condemn faults!