“What unites us is far greater than what divides us,” was first stated by President Kennedy to the Canadian Parliament, but may it also stand as the unwavering pursuit for all Christians belonging to The Lord Jesus Christ. For there will always be differences & diverse tastes among us, but personal preferences can never be allowed to divide & distract us from the unified devotion & direction we have in Christ (Philippians 2:2). Three truths aid in this priority:

Common Purpose: When we’re busy loving God with all our heart, soul, strength & mind, His desires begin to override our own. Worship becomes a daily ambition, not limited to Sundays, and we grow more inclined to set aside our own interests for the interests of others. Have we allowed the “have it my way” mentality to deter us from our primary purpose of drawing near to Christ & sharing His Gospel (Mark 16:15)?

Contrasting Programs: Although every snowflake’s design & flight pattern is unique, their destination’s the same. Likewise, God can use our diversity as a blanket of transformation for wherever He sends us (1Corinthians 12:25). What biases are we clinging to resulting in unnecessary conflict with others? Having preferences is natural, but they need not divide us. For as long as Jesus & the inerrant Word of God is at the heart of all we do, we can trust Him with the consequences of any particular style, or servant He may deploy to help build His church.

Collective Prize: Thankfully God’s plans are never thwarted by our disagreements & differences. Many times He even uses them to further His cause (1Corinthians 11:19). As worship becomes more about God & less about our self, distractions fade & diversity becomes a strategic asset in fulfilling His call to share the Gospel with all people.

Application: “Establish The Work of Our Hands” – Psalm 90:17
Accomplishing the work we’ve been given is greatly aided when we know our purpose. God’s Word discloses this purpose & directs us with plans of action, but we must choose to be His faithful stewards.  Have any conflicts & circumstances been allowed to distract us from these divine duties? Let us fix our eyes on Jesus so we might rid ourselves of such entanglements (Hebrews 12:1).