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“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,  that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6 (ESV)

From the shore, the rowers seemed to glide across the water smoothly and effortlessly.  Always in sync, never missing a beat working together to win the race.  No one abandoned ship.  No one demanded their own stroke.  Each team member strategically placed zeroed in on the one at the head of the boat known as the “cox.”  Why’s this position worthy of their undivided attention?  The cox keeps the boat going straight and the oars swinging in sync.  They alert the crew to who’s ahead and who’s behind.  If done right, the cox helps the rowers push past the pain and keep pulling their oars even when every muscle tells them to stop.

Harmony is beautifully displayed as rowers skim across the water.  From our view it’s a graceful move; from the view of the rower, it’s a grace-filled move. Webster reminds us that harmony is an interweaving of different into one – no two rowers are exactly alike in size, skill or mental strength. Yet the culmination of all their different working in sync together is what positions them to win the race.

Wow – don’t know about you, but I can so see the beauty birthed when we (believers) are moving in sync with one another.  By simply zeroing our attention on God (our cox) versus self, we strategically position ourselves to move forward together and not get off course.  Problem is, we often lose sight of the fact we should be working towards the same goal – to glorify God.  We tend to maximize differences and choose to conquer and divide among ourselves. We covet others’ roles versus using our unique giftings. We forge our agendas.  Disunity leaves us vulnerable to the attacks of our enemy, damages our walk with God, and hinders our reputation. Not exactly the way to glorify God.

When we resist the urge to demand our strokes, we open wide the door for harmony to reign. Operating out of one mind, one mouth and with one voice we truly glorify God.  Ephesians 4:1 compels us to eagerly pursue unity. Psalm 133:1 reminds us that it is good and pleasant when brothers dwell in unity.  By showing mutual respect and honor to one another, our minds aren’t distracted and divided. When we love our own, we give the world a beautiful picture of God’s love for them.

Do we really want to expend a lot of unnecessary energy fighting against each other or do we want to channel our energy into sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ?   Do we want to zero in on differences or zero in on Jesus?

Sweet friends, we can choose to love or divide – it’s really up to us – let’s choose to glorify God.

“Father when we live in harmony with one another, we bring you great joy.  Help us to lay down our preferences and differences so we draw others to You by the way we love one another.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life