100 Days of HopeSample

Unity Of Believers

On a recent trip to the Dominican Republic to see Hope International’s work, our small group had the opportunity to visit the small groups of women who met regularly to praise God in song, listen to a devotional, pray, and make their loan payments. Rather than a spirit of struggle, they had a spirit of joy and of hope. I remember my eyes meeting the eyes of one particular woman who did not look away. With the locking of our eyes, I grew to understand better Jesus’ prayer for us … for unity (John 17: 20-23). Her smile was beautiful. This is the unity of the Church—the worldwide Church united by the power and the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us. We were united across the language barrier, the differences in our dress, the color of our skin, the cultures in which we live. I was not there to give to her, but we were both there to give to each other.

Later on the trip one fellow traveler shared that he felt like he should be giving to the women. Our trip did not include our doing one single thing for them, and we were uncomfortable with this. Instead we knew that we had received. Now, several months later, I realize that the woman and I had given to each other and that in our giving to one another God’s love flowed to fill each of us. We were just two little girls with the same Father God.

Prayer: Jesus, as you have prayed, may we “be one” as you are one with the Father. Help us to come into unity with one another so that we come to more intimately know and understand and give glory to you.