We Need One Another More Than Ever
/January 11, 2021
Scripture
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 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. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
(John 17:20-23 NLT)
We Need One Another More Than Ever
Our Canadian political scandals seem embarrassingly boring. Politicians vacation in the Caribbean and get excoriated- and rightly so. It’s not insurrection, warfare, murder and mayhem as in many countries around the globe, but it still ticks us off.
As restrictions increase on our lives in response to alarming numbers of hospital patients and casualties it is easy to be discouraged, impatient or resentful. I have been all of those as I try to visualize the shape of our work and family life in 2021. Our calling has been to encourage spiritual friendship among us, and it is clear that is more important than ever.
We need a blend of deep listening to the moves of the Spirit in our own lives in order to be careful and deep listeners to one another. We need to help one another see and hear the presence and voice of “God with us” in it all. Jesus’ prayers on occasion expressed courage or discouragement, abandonment by the Father or intimacy with the Father and for us that we would be together.
Our being together virtually allows honest expression of courage, discouragement, loneliness, and relationship as we go through the rhythms of life. Offering friendship and receiving friendship are two great gifts we offer one another.
A Prayer for Today
O Jesus of the world rocked by fear, dislocation and oppression, you walked with courage, died with hope and rose from death breathing forgiveness. As you guide us by your presence help us to be hope and courage for one another, listening deeply to our pain and freely expressing our own …. For Jesus’ sake.
