Better Together: Connecting With God And Each OtherSample

Perfectly United

Whether working in ministry or just living life, it is hard to not put our agenda ahead of everyone else’s--even God’s--but do our agendas get in the way of our connection with others? How often do we find our work to be the most important task at hand - forgetting to allow room for others?

It is easy to place our priorities on ourselves. Yet, this self-centeredness leads to the suffering of others. Proverbs 18:1-2 warns us that if we are only concerned with our selfish needs and opinions, that we are categorized as "unfriendly." Further, Paul warns in Romans 16 that we need to beware of people who cause divisions and serve their own agendas.

In John 17, Jesus prays for something radically different: "I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you." He goes on to pray for "perfect unity" amongst believers. Christ is praying to his Father that we could throw away our agendas and work together, as one.

Reflections:

• Do you ever struggle with focusing on your own agenda rather than on God’s agenda? What are some ways you can focus more on God’s agenda for your life?
• How can you be more attentive and respectful of the other's agendas?
• What happens to our agenda when our love is sincere and we honor one another above ourselves?