Wisdom and Discernment – Blessing in Unity
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Psalm 133:1 (ESV)
We continue to look at the lessons we can learn from the story of The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow. The cat’s cunning and manipulation had disastrous effects on the eagle and the sow. It affected the little community they lived in. This is what happens in real life when divisiveness is sown in the communities we belong to. We human beings are meant to live together in community, not in isolation. Communities, whether they are found in families, friendships, schools, workplaces, sport and recreational clubs or churches, are typically formed by people who share common interests and goals. Communities have their own dynamics and functions. When the dynamic is negatively impacted, the fabric that holds them together will fall apart. Powerful catalysts in the destruction of this fabric are gossip, deceit and misinformation.
In our story, the eagle and the sow believed the gossip that the deceitful cat spread about them. It instilled fear in their hearts. It caused them to distrust each other and isolate themselves. Neither of them bothered to verify whether the information shared was the truth. This happens in communities when we take the information we receive at face value. We take offence at what we hear without checking if it’s true or not. When this happens, seeds of disunity are sown. God intends for mankind to live in unity. The idea of unity began before creation – God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit coexisted in unity. They were not only unified at the dawn of creation, but before the foundations of the earth. The universe itself displays unity. All the laws of nature work in harmony with each other, so that the universe can be held together. If it doesn’t, life as we know it will no longer exist. In the same way, God intended for mankind to work together in unity.
That They All May Be One
As followers of Jesus Christ, God's desire for us is to overcome the acrimony that causes division and to live in harmony with one another. When Jesus prayed for the disciples, He prayed that they would be united with one another just as He is united with His Father (John 17:21). Jesus has given us His divine wisdom and discernment. When we apply this to the (mis)information we receive from others, Holy Spirit will lead us out of that place of fear, distrust and isolation. We will receive the courage to face those we believe intend to harm us and discern the truth. Knowing the truth will bring us to a place where we can extend grace and love to each other in humility. A place where forgiveness and reconciliation can take place. A place of harmony and unity where God can command His blessing (Psalm 133).
Believers are never told to become one; we already are one and are expected to act like it. Joni Eareckson Tada
Reflection
Are you in a place where you’ve allowed second-hand information to cloud your judgement about others? Take time to allow Holy Spirit to lead you with wisdom and discernment so that you can be reconciled with those you think have intentions to harm you.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, that unity originated with You. Help me, Lord, not to take information I hear from others at face value. Help me not to allow misinformation to cause my heart to fear and isolate myself. I pray for Your Holy Spirit to guide me so that I will use Your wisdom to discern the truth. Help me to desire unity and harmony in the communities I belong to. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
