In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, he made some profound statements on unity, especially considering the division between people. This statement stood out to me, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase …” and he was pointing to faith in the Lord as the first step to unity between a broken and divided people. MLK Jr. knew our relationship with the Lord changes everything, especially our relationships with other people. It really is amazing that by faith we step into this new reality, new life and new relationships. God gives newness to those who believe.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians helps us understand why we can take the first step in unity. In Ephesians 1:7-10 we see the work God does to provide unity for us. First Jesus gives redemption and forgiveness. (v. 7) He fully changes us through His life, death and resurrection! He does this out of His amazing grace. (v. 7-8) He knows what we need, and He gives it at the right time. This is how he reveals his good plan of redemption to us. (v. 8-9)
That part that might be hard for us because unity will come in His timing. (v. 10) That is why the first step of the staircase, faith, can be hard to take. We want unity done immediately and in the way we want it, or at least I do, can you relate at all? Maybe you have had thoughts like these: if people would stop doing this, if they could just understand that, or if they would just listen to? Those questions often make putting faith in God’s plan and timing a little more difficult. That is why we need to pause and reflect on what God has done for us, like Paul did in verse 7. When we pause and look to Him, taking the first step becomes a lot easier.
Will you pause with me and thank God for a few things in prayer? I will leave some spaces blank for you to tell God what each thing He did means to you.
God, thank you for sending Jesus it shows me _______.
Thank you for redeeming me through Jesus it shows me _______.
Thank you for your grace its shows me _______.
Thank you for your plan it shows me _______.
Please help me take steps towards unity with the people you put in my life.
Amen.
Jeremy Johnson
Men’s Ministries Director