Devotion of the Week
January 22, 2005
By: Greg Wingo, Pastor
Harlan United Methodist Church
Loyall, Kentucky

"Together"

The elephant and the flea were longtime friends. They had been together most of their lives. Often they would take walks and talk along the way. One day while strolling down a country lane, they came to a flimsy wooden bridge crossing the creek. Unsure about the safeness of the bridge, they discussed their options. They decided to cross the bridge. Slowly they began the journey across the bridge. It swayed and creaked with each step under the weight of the elephant. When they finally reached the other side safely, the flea asked his big friend, "Did you notice how we shook that bridge?"

We are in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. I have served in communities where the local churches observed the week in some fashion. I have also served where it was not even acknowledged. It is one of those times or seasons of the church year that can easily get overlooked or forgotten altogether.

Whether we observe the calendar or not, is not hte point. The point is that christian unity is something to be strived for,lived for, calendar or not. We live in a time when much seems to divide us as churches, both within and without. Our stance on war, abortion, homosexuality, scripture, etc...the list is endless. We can be passionate about our stance to the point that it becomes an us against them conflict. Denominations refuse to commune with one another; churches within denominations refuse to walk with one another; even within churches, members refuse fellowship with one another because of differences in belief/faith. We may cross bridges together but we don't do much shaking!

We have much more impact on the world when we are able to walk together, work together, and love together in cooperation. In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives a new command, "a new commandment I give to you that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (13:34-35)