His Glory and Unity

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Unity is always a beautiful thing, isn't it?  The synchronized swimmers in the Olympics are a perfect example of multiple entities moving and working together to create something glorious.  Team diving is another example. In the winter Olympics, the figure skating couples move in harmony and unity. 
Unity of spirit is actually very hard to achieve.  Impossible, actually, apart from the Lord. Why? Because unity is the opposite of loving self, which is what our sinful, human natures strive for.  
Jesus says that the reason He shared His glory with His disciples, was "that they may be one, as we are one"  John 17:22.  Apparently this unity is very important to the Father! 
If we look at God's glory as the catalyst or essential element to unity, which is a major part of the reason Jesus came to earth, we have to look into His glory more closely.
The story of Moses in the Old Testament talks about God's glory.  Do you remember the story?
Here is a brief summary:  When God calls Moses to return to Egypt to lead the people to the Promised Land, Moses' first reaction was, " I can't! I don't speak very well. Please find someone else!"  Now, Moses had just had an encounter with God's glory -- the burning bush! 
Again, after the Ten Commandments were given and the fiasco of the Golden Calf took place, God revealed a little bit of His glory to Moses-- at the request of Moses, by hiding him in the cleft of a rock and passing by. God told Moses that He was to share God's goodness with the people of Israel. As the Lord passed by Moses, shielding Him from the full experience, He proclaimed in Exodus 34:6-7: 

The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.

So....how does all of this tie together?  God's glory is revealed in His character, which is a God of love and forgiveness, even in His righteous judgement of sin. As we spend time with Him and study His character, He reveals it to us and shares this glory, or parts of His character with us! We are slowly being transformed into His image as we allow His Spirit to work.  That is really amazing, powerful stuff! Far beyond what my puny vocabulary will express in this little devotional. 

But, remember the reason that Jesus shares His glory with us?  Unity. That we may all experience the unity that the Triune God has.  That we may be one, as He is.  

Through spending time in the Word and in prayer, we are given glimpses of the glory, or character of God.  The Spirit is at work transforming our hearts and minds into His likeness, which we reflect to the world around us. As believers, this leads to a unity of purpose that is glorious! 

Spending time with our Lord in Bible reading and prayer is not optional, ya'll!  This is our calling! I pray that this encourages us to remain in the Word, faithfully!  

Soli Deo Gloria,

Heather Sparks

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