By Doug Creamer
Unity
It’s time to fire up the grill and get ready for all our Fourth of July favorites. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings. Then there will be the heavy-laden dessert table filled with tempting treats. After all our stomachs are stuffed we will sit back and enjoy a grand fireworks display. My mouth is already watering and I am ready for the big day.
My brother hosts our family gathering at his house. He has joked in recent years that he and his wife can’t downsize on their house because where would our family gather for all the major holidays? You never know who is going to be in town and who you might see at these gatherings. Sometimes neighbors and friends join the fun. Whoever is there feels like they are part of our family because we all make them feel welcome.
This is a special year as our country celebrates 250 years. It is hard to believe that our democratic experiment has lasted for 250 years. 250 sounds old but when compared to other nations we are young. When you study our history you realize that many things have evolved over time. We have been through hard times and survived.
One of the things one must consider on such a momentous occasion is all the men and women who have fought and given their lives so we could live in freedom. Our nation was birthed and has maintained its identity at a very high cost to so many. On this day we must stop and reflect on the high price many have paid for this great nation and have thankful hearts for their sacrifice.
One thing that gives me pause as I consider this great nation is the media reports of polls that show a majority of us believe we are a divided nation. I have heard my own mouth say it and the thought troubles me. I do not want to believe that we are a divided nation and I want to encourage you to grab ahold of that belief. Do we all think alike? No. Do we all want the same things for our country? No. Do we have problems? Yes. Do we have differences? Yes. But I would argue these are the things that make us so great. We are a diverse and wonderful people who see our differences as strength, as something we should celebrate.
Our diversity is what gives us the creativity that we all enjoy in the arts, theater, and music. Seeing life from different angles opens the doors to entrepreneurship. If we all thought and acted the same where would new product ideas develop? It would be a very boring existence if we were all the same. A simple example that comes to mind is in all the different foods we enjoy because people bring their culture and different traditions to our tables.
These differences can and should be celebrated in the body of Christ. Paul writes and compares us to the various parts of the human body. He asks, can we all be an eye? Then where would hearing or smelling take place? Can the hand say to the foot, I don’t need you? How would the hand get around? We should be the example to the world around us on how we encourage and celebrate each person’s uniqueness and service in the body of Christ.
The only caution I would suggest is that we can’t allow our diversity to diminish our unity. We are the representation of Jesus here on earth. We are His ambassadors. We need to work to present the body as one: united, standing together, fighting for each other not with each other, and believing our diversity is designed to help us fulfill our destiny. God created us to be unique but not to allow that uniqueness to separate us.
I want to encourage you to celebrate the 250th anniversary of this great nation. Reflect on how our differences have made us a stronger and better nation. I also want to encourage you to consider the diversity you find at your local church. Celebrate how God has brought you together to serve your community in a way that will glorify Him. Consider the important part that you play in your church, your roles and responsibilities. God placed you in your congregation. He needs your uniqueness to shine brightly. He also needs you to display the unity of the fellowship of believers gathered together to bring glory to Him. Happy Birthday America! Here’s hoping you will enjoy your 4th of July celebration.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
