Our Daily Bread: This Far By FaithExemplo

That We Might Be One

This prayer of Jesus is powerful in its witness to and its command for oneness: “ 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. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me” (John 17:21).

Christians desire the world, know us by our love. Sometimes we may wonder if there’s enough love. Christians may struggle interacting with each other around a variety of issues. And Sunday remains, even today, one of the most segregated hours of the week. Do we stray from the heart cry of Jesus? Yet there remain in the world rays of hope that Jesus’s prayer can come true. 

At the turn of the 20th century, African American preacher William Seymour started the “Azusa Street Movement,” creating a welcoming church that displayed segregation is antithetical to Jesus’s message of love for everyone and unity among Christians. Diverse peoples worshiped in harmony for three years—until dividing based in part on racial misunderstanding.

William Seymour’s story continues though. There are movements, churches, and denominational, and interdenominational groups that refuse to let issues separate them from working together to fulfill the cause of Jesus Christ. Seymour’s and others efforts and continuing stories shine and give us hope.  -Diane Proctor Reeder

God desires unity in His Church.