People of Sacred Worth

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Is there anyone who really likes conflict? Certainly there are some people who seem to live in it more regularly than others but I doubt if anyone really enjoys it. Still it is a reality in all relationships in our lives.

I think back on the last Communion service we had at Drew Theological School where I went to Seminary. During a normal chapel service I would tend to sit toward the front just to the left of the altar area. This particular service, however, I arrived late and found myself in the back row. I recall watching my classmates going up to the front for Communion and was suddenly filled with a joyful insight. There, going up for Communion and preparing to disperse across the country to serve as pastors in churches, were people I had lived with, studied with, prayed with, sometimes argued with and disagreed with for three years. I was especially struck by a few people with whom I had frequently disagreed with. As I watched them take the Bread and the Cup God filled me with Grace and I did know that there was one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

The key to maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace is to act with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing one another in love. If we can truly see each other as people of sacred worth then we will find love even in our differences.

Listen for this song this coming Sunday:

I can see the God in you
In every single thing you do
God is love and love is true
And I can see the God in you

Can you see the God in me?
I know sometimes it’s hard to see
But if you look you will agree
That you can see the God in me