You-nity
Our honeymoon was packed full of obvious firsts. The first time we had ever spent a whole night together. The first time we shared a bed. Our first time away from family, by ourselves, for a whole week (I called my mom from the airport to let her know I was okay, lol). The first time we tried champagne, because it was free, and found out it was disgusting! Through all of these firsts—and through our 19 years of marriage—we’ve had to learn to live together as one, in unity. We’ve learned that he snores, and I steal the covers. His sink is clean, and mine is covered in toothpaste. He is a very precise painter, and I just like to get it done. He listens to the music of a song, and I listen to the words. Sure, because of our differences we’ve had little spats along the way, but after each spat, we’ve come out learning a little more about each other and what keeps us together. What keeps us together? God is at the center of it all. If He wasn’t, then Eric probably would have been completely pushed off the bed in the middle of the night for snoring.
That’s the thing about differences, they can push us apart, or draw us closer. It’s our choice though. There are a few short verses in the Psalms that remind me of the outcome if we chose to put God at the center.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed. They rejoiced when the waves grew quiet. Then he guided them to the harbor they longed for. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all humanity. Psalms 107:28-31
My favorite part is the promise found in verse 30, Then he guided them to the harbor they longed for. A harbor is a place where ships can find shelter from the tough waves of the sea. The way to get to the harbor first started with they. They, together, united with each other, cried out to the Lord, and with God guiding them, they rejoiced. This Psalm is a thanksgiving for the deliverance that God provided them. A deliverance from the tough waves of life that seemed to be drowning them.
What is that harbor in today’s context? For Eric and I, it is the assurance that everything is safe, and at peace from life’s waves. It is why we cry out to Him, and we choose to unite with His love and grace. It’s in Godly unity, that we have shelter from any wave—or spat—that tries to bring us down. And it’s by His unity, our relationship is made whole, whether it is marriage relationships, friend relationships, work relationships, or community relationships. God guides our differences to a safe harbor.
But to get there, starts with they. We have to keep in mind that you is one of those theys. Each as individuals, we have to choose to let God be our guide. Not by differing opinions of who’s right and who’s wrong, who’s better or who’s worse, who snores and who doesn’t. So, I’m going to take a humble seat on the boat of deliverance, choose others before myself, and seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and then let Him guide me to the harbor.
You can’t spell unity without yoU. Thank you, Lord, that you have a part for all of us to play.