unity

God has His people everywhere and it is beautiful. They are beautiful!We recently got home from a 22 day band trip to England, Ireland and Wales. For those who followed along, journeying with us, standing with us, holding up our arms in prayer, thank you! The stories and pictures we have shared are merely snapshots...not adequate to share the story, but tidbits to get the stories flowing. So over this next little while, I'll try to keep the stories flowing here...Literally everywhere we went, the sweetness of relationship we experienced with people was astounding. Hearts united. Open. Channeled towards one goal with a myriad of personalities, gifts, experiences, nationalities.Each setting we were a part of, welcomed us brilliantly. To share. To know and be known. To be a part of the whole. And this was no small invitation and allowance! For them to entrust us with their community for a few moments was incredibly humbling. Yet they did. Time and time again, in each setting. What makes this a demonstration of stunning favor and grace all the more, is that in many of the settings where we served, our personal relationship and contact was not with the person in charge of the event but someone who is a part of the community there. So here were these people, who do not know us, trusting us. Letting go of control because they trust the One who is in control.Granted, we approached each event with a desire to serve and listen to their expectations and the needs of the people who would be there. But having given us context for setting, time and time again we heard, "Then we will just turn it over to you." Or, "Just do what the Lord leads."It seems that over there, cultural Christianity or a Christian subculture generally just does not exist. So either you love Jesus, or you do not. Either you walk in Christ, or you do not. The church we encountered was far from idyllic or perfect, but one thing we noticed about the body there is that they are predominantly wrapped up in seeking to walk with others who also love Jesus. And that's the main criteria that seems to matter most.It was not at all about a group of people finding each other because they liked the same things so therefore they could enjoy being together and therefore could also worship together. What a gift it can be to find someone who enjoys the same things as us! But I emphatically believe that if you think you have found a church family based on the fact that the people in the group also like to do what you like to do, you do not know what fellowship truly is. You have not experienced the unity of the body of Christ.Because this unity is not about being the same. It is about being many members, all diverse, working in harmony because we are under one head and that is Christ Jesus.So with this realization...a resonating understanding that is spoken but also just known between souls...we all served. As many members each doing their part. And free to each do our parts.It's not that doctrinal issues believers disagree on do not matter, but it is a matter of putting them in the right perspective. It's not that various styles of worship or formality preferences are not ever permitted, but it is a matter of putting them in the right perspective. But if we are focused on Christ, Who is the head of the body, will we not live and move and breathe in more unity together as the many members? If we move beyond a cultural context of being wrapped up in our personal preference first, to focus our gaze on Christ first, will we not find more readily that we are one body together? And the preferences will fade away as irrelevant. And the doctrinal issues, the ones that do indeed matter so terribly much, will conform into a beautiful, mysterious understanding that is unified.We had one chance for a few hours to take a trip while we were in Ireland and went to an ancient retreat call Glendalough. This monastery of antiquity was lovely in every way. A gorgeous day, the sun streamed over the mountain into the lake in the valley. Warm enough for just short-sleeves walking in the sun, but cool enough for a light jacket in the shade. Over the hushed, idyllic scenery, it struck me how loud the birds' songs were. "Maybe," my brother observed, "it's not that the birds are louder, but that it is quieter here." I had to laugh. He was so right! With the silencing of other voices, other clutter, other noise, the song rung clear and true.With the silencing of other voices, other clutter, other noise, couldn't we hear His song over us clear and true? And being captivated by His song, find our own part in it instead of making our own. And so experience a unity of fellowship under Christ's Lordship. In joy, beauty, mystery. Hearts unified.When we are still, stop, cease striving, and let go, we know that He is God and that He will be exalted among the nations!