Today’s devotion invites us to be open continually to God’s love that roots us in grace
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Scripture: Ephesians 4:4–6
There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
The small ruler
I belong most securely with people who are like me.
The grace I receive
I belong to one body held together by one Spirit.
Reflection
Sameness can feel safe.
We often settle more easily among people who think as we do, communicate as we do, and see the world in familiar ways. Difference can make us wonder whether our own way of seeing things is threatened.
Paul describes unity differently.
One body. One Spirit. One hope. One Lord. One faith. One God and Father of all.
Then he begins talking about different gifts.
God has never seemed interested in making copies.
We have already seen ourselves described as His workmanship. That means difference is intentional. Personality, experience, ability, perspective, and gifting vary from person to person. We belong to one body without becoming interchangeable parts.
There is freedom in that.
When I trust that God is forming me, I do not need you to be like me in order for me to feel secure. I can listen without immediately comparing. I can allow your experience to teach me something. Your strength does not make mine smaller.
This is part of learning to live together after the wall has come down.
Christ has already created the possibility of unity. We are learning how to inhabit it.
That will sometimes be uncomfortable. Another person may see something we have missed. Their way of expressing faith may not feel natural to us. Their gift may reach people ours never could.
We do not have to flatten those differences.
Think of a tapestry. No single thread carries the picture. Some colors barely touch one another, yet each belongs to the design.
The Spirit gives us enough security to remain ourselves while moving toward one another.
Unity does not ask you to disappear.
It gives you a place to belong as the person God formed you to be.
A prayer of presence
God and Father of all,
You have made us unique and called us into one body. Free me from needing others to resemble me before I can love them. Give me confidence in the person You are forming and openness to the grace You are forming in others. Teach us to live together without erasing the beauty of difference.
– Amen
A practice of grace
Notice one person whose viewpoint, personality, background, or approach differs from yours. Instead of evaluating the difference, ask what gift or perspective God may have placed in them that you do not carry yourself.
Consider this…
Where does another person’s difference still feel more like a threat than a gift?
Carry this prayer with you today
Breathe in: I do not need sameness...
Breathe out: ... One Spirit holds us together
Continue the journey
If this devotion helped you pause, breathe, and receive your place in the love of Christ today, you are invited to continue walking through the full Love Beyond Measure 31-day series.
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Which line from today’s devotion are you carrying with you? You are welcome to share it in the comments.