Imagine a massive ship with a skilled crew… It’s easy to be a good crew when the sea is like glass. But then, the storm hits. In that moment of chaos and crisis, the true character of the crew is revealed.
A church is like a ship, and trials are the storms… The question is, when they hit, what kind of crew are we going to be?
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one… so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21 (ESV)
Devotional
Let that sink in for a minute. On the night before He was crucified, Jesus prayed for *you*. And what did He pray for? He didn’t pray for our comfort… He prayed for our **unity**. Why? So that the world would see it and believe.
Our unity is not just a nice idea; it is the ultimate apologetic to a watching world. And the enemy knows it. That’s why trials are one of his favorite weapons. He uses external pressure… to expose and exploit the internal cracks… He wants us to start pointing fingers instead of linking arms.
Guarding our unity during a trial is an act of extreme, wartime Christianity. It’s a conscious decision to say, “The health of this family is more important than my opinion.”… The world expects us to fall apart under pressure… But when we—by the grace of God—hold together… it is a supernatural testimony. It is the living, breathing answer to the prayer of Jesus Christ.
Additional Scripture for Meditation
- Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV): “…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
- Philippians 2:1-2 (ESV): “…complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): “…so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor…”
Reflection
- 1. Think about a major trial our church… has faced in the past. How did the community respond? Did the trial bring people together or push them apart?
- 2. What is your personal “default mode” when you are under pressure? Are you more likely to become critical and find fault, or to become supportive and bear burdens?
- 3. How does knowing that Jesus Himself prayed specifically for *your* unity with other believers change how you view disagreements and conflicts within the church?
Practical Application
- Be a Firefighter, Not an Arsonist: Identify one area of tension or stress currently in our church… Your mission this week is to intentionally speak words of grace, hope, and unity into that situation…
- Choose Your Words: The next time you are in a conversation where people are complaining… have the courage to gently redirect. Say something like, “I know this is hard. How can we pray for the people involved…?”
- Memorize the Mission: Memorize Ephesians 4:3 this week: “…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Make that your personal mission statement.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we are in awe that on the night before the cross, You were praying for us… Father, forgive us for the times we have failed to guard that unity… When the storms of trial come, strengthen us to be a crew that works together, that loves each other fiercely… Let our unity in the midst of hardship be the undeniable sign to the world that You are who You say You are. In Your powerful name, Amen.