What is unity…like?

West Bank Palestinians vs. Middle East Israel; “MAGA America” vs. “Blue America”; conservative church vs. liberal denominations—the landscape of humanity is populated with division. But there is always One crying out in the wilderness for unity. “Can’t we all just get along.” How does that unity look? I saw a glimpsed of what I think living in unity looks like at a recent memorial service.

The dearly departed was a Hispanic man, eighty-nine years old. He grew up in South Texas. He lived his final days in a rural East Texas town no bigger than a postage stamp. Between those days and many other places, he battled alcoholism and won, then went on to live a broken-life-mended serving others: fixing the plumbing of the town’s small black church for free; buying the hungry who came across his path breakfast and a cup of coffee; lending his truck to help someone move; picking up the fallen who had tripped over a bottle or two as once he had. The memorial service was filled with testimonies of people—different people: black, white, rural, poor, churched, unchurched—who had been touched by this man’s simple goodness and pleasant spirit. Present was his family who included his grand and great grandchildren who didn’t know him well, but now knew him better after hearing from others who knew firsthand their brother revered as “Sonny,” who was, in his own way, a minister of unity, blessing each person and place he engaged.

God had a word or two that day about Sonny and for all who hunger and thirst for good and pleasant unity according to Psalm 133:

1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! 2It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes.3It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing--life forever.

From these words we get a glimpse of the possibility of unity.

First unity is living in relationship with people whose “soul” aim is to bless each other personally:

2It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.

The anointing of oil on Aaron—the priest and brother of Moses—represents the blessing on the fellowship of God’s people who are called as the priesthood of all believers, to serve each other in community according to 1 Peter 2:9-10.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9-10

We are priests to each other to serve one another with a ministry of forgiveness and blessings. This is not a limited blessing, but an overflowing of amazing, sufficient grace on whoever we come across. When we live like Sonny and Aaron, we are united in the purpose of blessing every person—black, white, rural, urban, east, west, conservative, and liberal. It’s personal. So feed the hungry; shelter the homeless; build schools you’d be proud to send your children. Want for their family what you want for yours—blessedness. This is what unity looks like—person to person.

Secondly, unity is living in relationship with people whose “soul” aim is to bless the place where you are. You want for each other’s home what you want for your home—a blessed place to live.

3It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forever.

The dew of Hermon represents the refreshing, regenerating nature of God’s presence on His people through His people. Regardless of how harsh the journey of life is, the unity and fellowship of the brotherhood of God’s people is purposed to revitalize the place where your brother is. It should be said of you as was said of Sonny, “You leave a place a better place.” Unity is communal. This is what unity looks likes—place to place.

In a world of division and aridity, unity is a good, pleasant possibility. But you’ve got a part to play as a priest of all believers. So, be a blessing to every person as if their children are your children. Also be a blessing everywhere you settle as if what you desire for your home is what you desire for your neighbor’s village, hamlet, community, and country. Use your mended brokenness as an agency of blessed unity. It’s possible. Ask those who knew Sonny.