Declaration 2023: The DevotionalsSýnishorn

Unity

- by Rev Dr Garrick Wilson

‘All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had… that there was no needy person among them.’ (Acts 4:32, 34 NIV)

The phrase ‘fish out of water’ describes the uncomfortable feeling of being in an unbearable environment. In literal terms, a fish on land will gasp for air, indicating its survival is in jeopardy. In water, the fish thrives because habitat and inhabitants are in perfect union; water containing oxygen flows through its gills which absorbs the oxygen and causes the fish to breathe. The meeting of these three diverse forms (fish, water and oxygen) is a partnership that illustrates unity; incredibly, they become one without being uniform.

Unity is the togetherness of growth enablers to create growth conditions. Enablers will have ideas, resources or skills; however, ideas isolated from resources and skills may never thrive. Likewise, resources without ideas and skills may never be utilised... you get the idea. Although each enabler is distinct, their collaboration furnishes the right growth conditions. Rudimentarily speaking, water and oxygen collaborated to create growth conditions for the fish to thrive.

Acts 4:32 and 34 speak of the development of a common unity or a community influenced by the Holy Spirit. Growth enablers were united through acts of kindness. No one claimed exclusive rights to their possessions (ideas, resources or skills), which meant those in need not only gained from the community but also believed they became members of the community.

Imagine our world as a common unity, unified in ensuring that no one is left out and where everyone thrives. I smiled at this thought, and then two truths dawned on me: the unity of the believers in Acts 4 was sacrificial, yet, there was no needy among them, showing those who sacrificed did not suddenly become needy.

I wonder, even if I know these truths, would I be comfortable removing all exclusive rights from my ideas, resources and skills to meet the needs of others? How comfortable would any of us be to sacrifice exclusive rights to our possessions for a united cause?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I thank you for the truth and the challenge of your word. Teach us, through the work of your Spirit, your common unity. In your name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.