UNITY DOESN’T MEAN WHAT YOU THINK Corinthians 12:12 (NIV)

 Just as a body, thought one, has many parts, but all its parts form one body, so it is with Christ. How do you view the concept of ‘unity’? It’s a very powerful word, but one that can feel very diluted when it’s sloganized and used as a cover-all for messages about peace and tolerance. I enjoy digging into meanings when I read the scripture. A quick web search will amplify a word’s intention and deepen my understanding of the Bible’s message. This happened when I looked up ‘unity’, which means, ‘the state of being united or joined as a whole’. It doesn’t speak to bland uniformity or mind, belief or character – but to connection as one; a picture of things that were once isolated, removed or broken linking up with what’s nearby. Like scattered magnets drawing toward a central point and clicking into place. And what is the goal of that togetherness and unity? If we take from the example of this scripture, it’s for each part of the body to function in their unique purpose in support of the health of the whole. A hand can be a hand, but united with the body it can enable touch, intimacy, friendship and effort. An eye can see independently, but united with the body it can illuminate the direction of the entire collective. Unity isn’t so much about ‘sameness’, but about using your unique contribution to serve everybody’s collective wellbeing. How can you do that today? Laura Bennet