Unity and Our Stories

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I continue to pray for unity, and I trust you are too. Each day I’ve been praying Isaiah 62:7: “Give the Lord no rest until he completes His work.” “…making our righteousness shine like the dawn, and our salvation blaze like a burning torch.” (Isa 62:1)

In October I wrote a series of posts about “Mastering Our Stories.” (I’ll paste the links below for your review). I continue to meditate on unity, the question I have been chewing on this week is, “How do the stories we tell ourselves affect unity?”  Whether it’s a small disagreement with my wife about how I am putting away the dishes, tension with a coworker, or frustration with leadership decisions, each situation generates a story in our mind. Those stories often lead us to demand our rights or justify our perspective, but they rarely build unity. These internal stories often focus on our perspective, our concerns, or what we feel is right. While that is natural, those stories do not always help us move toward unity.

With peers or family, compromise is possible and agreement with both parties can sometimes be achieved. But leadership decisions—especially in a large organization—cannot satisfy everyone. As leaders we must make decisions that may not please all 316 voices. So how do we build unity when disagreement is inevitable? It depends on the stories that we each tell ourselves.  I believe the stories we tell ourselves is one of the biggest hinderances to unity.  In part, it may depend on the posture we take in the stories we tell ourselves. Do we assume good intent? Do we believe our leaders are seeking a wide range of input, studying God’s Word, praying, and listening to the Spirit? Can we trust the Spirit to guide them, even when we don’t agree? Can we entrust both ourselves and them to the Spirit’s work, even when we see things differently? 

Reading: Psalm 7:1–2,6;  Psalm 139; 1 Samuel 24; 1 Samuel 26;

Key Verse: Psalm 139:16 — “Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

Scripture Insight:

Conflict often comes when I am fighting for what I want or feel I need. David wanted / needed justice. In Psalm 7:1, during the events of 1 Samuel 24, he cried out for justice: “Save me from my persecutors… (Psalm 7:6) Wake up, my God, and bring JUSTICE!”  Yet when Saul was delivered into his hands (1 Samuel 24:4), David refused to take vengeance. His conscience reminded him that Saul was the Lord’s anointed. God’s answer was not immediate justice but an invitation to trust. David’s plea did not change God’s decision.  The result was that David still hid in caves and still lived under threat of his life. But God was glorified through David’s growing trust in God. Psalm 27 is the reflection of what David was learning through this circumstance.

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

David and his men were unified when they surrendered their own stories (1 Sam 24:4) and chose to trust God’s decision. Unity is preserved when we surrender our stories and allow God’s story to be central.

Application:

  • Examine the stories you tell yourself, especially when you don’t agree with someone or something.
  • Evaluate how God would have you to respond to promote unity. Ask how your response can contribute to peace and unity, even if full agreement is not reached.
  • Pray persistently for unity, giving God “no rest” until His work is complete.

Prayer

Lord, guard me from stories that demand my rights and fracture unity. Teach me to trust the Holy Spirit in my leaders, teach me to trust You fully and rest in Your care. Unite us by Your Spirit, so that our lives reflect Your glory. Amen.

Reflection Questions

  • What stories do you tell yourself when you disagree with others?
  • How do those stories affect unity?
  • How can you trust God’s sovereignty in this situation?

Mastering Our Stories Devotional Posts

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