Unity....

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV:
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

I know that many things have been said about the possibility of unity among diverse human beings and the seeming impossibility of getting two people to perfectly agree on anything. People coin expressions like "there's unity in diversity" to back up this thought. While not disagreeing with this position, I believe there's a direction God wants us to move in and that is expressed in the words of the text quoted above.

How can people of different ethnic and geographical backgrounds all speak with the same mind and have the same thoughts? How possible is it for people who have different experiences and exposures  be perfectly united in mind? I believe the answer is in the foundation of every life and the contents of each vessel. When God created man, the focus of that creation was the ability and nature that man was given. God breathed into the man and man became a living soul. The breath of God was the defining nature, not colour, race or tribe. The breath of God in man is the connecting influence that seeks to reach out to other people. It is only as we allow the breath of God to work in us that God's nature, attributes and power can be made manifest in us.

Pefect unity in mind and thought is more of an inner quality than an outward character trait. There's nothing outside of us that makes us similar to other people: fingerprints, DNA, hair and eye samples are personal traits that cannot be shared or transfered. There is however that nature and power of God, given to us when he breathed into us, that connects us to other people and makes us united in mind and thought.

As we allow God work in us, he can bring about the unity of mind and thought that he desires. His presence in any life guarantees unity of mind and thought with as many as will give him room in their hearts too. His time of favour is here.